Carriage 123
| Carriage 123 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Carriage 123 at Blaenau Ffestiniog Eryri Venturer | |
| Built By | FR Co. |
| Frames | Steel |
| Designation | 3rd Saloon / Guard |
| Seating | 26 x 3rd / 5 x tip-up or 2 wheelchairs / Guard |
| Length | 37ft 5ins |
| History | |
| Date Built | 1970 |
| 2010/11 | Renumbered to 123 |
| Operating | FR |
Contents |
[edit] Background
During 2009 the question was raised as to why Barn Observation Carriage 101 was being left out of use in the open at Dinas, where it would suffer the same eventual demise as its sister Carriage 1000, when the FR was short of carriages.
101 was therefore brought back to Boston Lodge and plans drawn up to refurbish it into an all 3rd saloon. This refurbished carriage is to be numbered Carriage 123, as to leave the number 101 for a future new 1st Obs (123 is a play on 1st to 3rd!).
[edit] Refurbishment
Work was completed with volunteer labour only and has been ongoing since early 2010. By the end of March 2011 work was nearing completion.
The biggest difference is that the carriage has been turned so that the Observation window faces Blaenau. Work included the renewing of some of the bodywork and frame and the moving of the partition with the Guard's Van to create a large area with tip-up seats next to the double doors in order to accommodate wheelchairs. The carriage is now double glazed, insulated and features an Eberspächer heating system. Electrically the carriage has also been modified to act as "converter" between new and old style electric systems - necessary as the vintage carriages which will be coupled above 123 only have the old style system. Note that all lighting in the saloon is by LEDs, this should reduce power consumption and is already leading the way for other carriages to be fitted with LED lighting.
The seating arrangement is such that there are two seats each side facing inwards at the observation end and then two rows of three seats (two plus one) looking through the observation window. Between the end seats is a table on which is engraved a map of the line. Directly above this there is a centre moulding on the ceiling carrying the inscription "Reborn 2011".
As with Van 5 there is only a corridor connection at the bottom end, meaning that the carriage must be at the top end of a rake of corridor carriages.
Once complete, it is hoped to withdraw Van 5 from service to carry out extensive remedial work.
[edit] Entry into traffic
123 provisionally entered traffic on the 25th March 2011, making an apperance on the Porthmadog - Blaenau Ffestiniog - Caernarfon - Porthmadog "Eryri Venturer" Charter. Although largely complete, some work was still required on the electrical systems. After this appearance the carriage re-entered works for final completion before entering regular traffic on the 17th April 2011.
