Carriage 1111
| Carriage 1111 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Martin Ellis | |
| Built By | FR Co. / Bloomfield Steel Construction |
| Frames | Steel |
| Designation | FR PW Mess Coach and Brake Vehicle |
| Length | 40ft (12m) |
| History | |
| Date Built | 1997 |
| Operating | Permanent Way Fleet |
Contents |
[edit] Background
The PWay department staff had always complained of being poorly provided for in terms of transport, compared to Boston Lodge. Normally the only way of getting to site by train was Van 51, too small for a decent sized working party, or by requistioning the next carriage due to be overhauled.
Carriage 1111 is the Permanent Way Department's mess coach. It is a key vehicle in their works train, along with the tool van, a welding van and various wagons. The train is hauled by Harlech Castle, the department's diesel locomotive (normally known as Ina).
It was completed in 1997, to a design agreed with Fred Howes, and was the railways first, purpose built, mess van for PW use. 1111 was assembled by at Boston Lodge with a welded all-steel body shell by Bloomfield Steel Construction, Tipton. Mounted on Polish diamond-frame bogies formerly under Carriage 110. The vehicle is 40 feet long and was financed under the Strategic Development Scheme.
1111 is designed both to be practical and to provide working parties with a modicum of comfort. On the inside there are 16 plastic seats, 8 small tables, overhead lockers for storing supplies (e.g. hi-vis jackets), hooks for storing clothing, a gas cooker and hob, battery powered lighting, washing up facilities and a toilet. On the outside there is a 'balcony' to allow easy access to tight sections of the line and a rope , allowing you to hang on to the carriage as you walk alongside. The carriage can also cope with several different couplings, so it can be connected to the FR's wide variety of wagons.
The carriage is also designed to act as the works train's brake vehicle. There are controls at both ends: a handbrake, a vacuum brake handle and a horn for use by a responsible person when the carriage is being propelled at the front of the train. There is also a button that sounds the horn and flashes red lights on the roof of 1111 to warn the loco driver in an emergency. The vacuum brakes on 1111 are never used as neither Harlech Castle nor the PW department wagons have vacuum brakes fitted. In the event of the train running away, the carriage would be stopped with the hand brake.
