Carriage 102
| Carriage 102 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Observation Brake Third |
| Seating | 30 x 3rd |
| Home Railway | FR |
| Status | In Service |
| History | |
| Built by | FR Co. |
| Built | 2005 |
| 2019-20 | Rebuilt as a third class observation carriage. |
| Technical | |
| Length | 37 ft 5 in |
| Frames | Steel |
| Carriages | |
Carriage 102 is a third class observation, saloon and guards van in the Centenary stock series.
Background[edit]
In the 1960s the Festiniog Railway began construction of a series of modern wooden-bodied coaches at Boston Lodge. The profile was based on that of the restored former Lynton and Barnstaple Carriage 14 and as a result these coaches are known on the railway as "The Barns". With a requirement for more carriages, construction began of two new coaches to a similar design in 2004. This carriage saw its first tentative service on the AGM Special in 2005.
Unlike the previous three Observation Carriages (100, 101 and 111) built at Boston Lodge, this carriage is not fitted with swivel seats. Instead eight moveable seats are provided, which can be removed to allow one (or more) wheelchairs to enter the carriage. It also has three movable tables in the observation end.
Following the successful introduction of diesel-fired heating in previous carriages (111 and 122), 102 is heated.
Following the introduction of the new observation car/service car pairs 102 became the least used of the modern FR observation carriages. After Carriage 152 was completed, 102 was given the same treatment as the old Carriage 101, being turned so that the observation window faces Blaenau Ffestiniog. The interior was replaced and it is now a standard class observation carriage like Carriage 123, and is accessible to wheelchairs. This will allow both sets to have third class top-end observation cars, after the overhaul of Carriage 123 is completed. Turning the carriage also meant that the brake and electrical systems had to be altered. In particular, the brake and electrical connections have had to be moved to the other side of each end, to be compatible with other carriages in the fleet.[1] By December 2019 the carriage was being painted and by the end of March 2020, the overhaul was practically complete, only requiring a visit to the erecting shop to allow the hand-brake to be fitted.[2] The carriage re-entered service in its new form in July 2021, having been stored out of use for the previous year due to Covid-19.
Interior Details[edit]
-
Carriage 102 saw the introduction of a new upholstery design, which can be seen in the following picture. Also seen at the end of the carriage is one of three moveable tables. -
The view of the passenger area shows the blackboard (showing the last time the train toilet had been serviced), and the vacuum setter and gauge. This area is used to store the seats from the observation area when a wheelchair occupies the space. -
The design of the Guard's Office includes various cupboards to store the equipment needed. Of note in the following photograph along with various pieces of emergency equipment are the wheelchair ramps.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Moving Pictures, Thirty Nine - 20/12/19
- ^ "Carriage Works", Ffestiniog Railway Magazine, Issue 248, page(s): 557