Hearse Van
Conversion of a Mk.2 Quarrymen's Carriage in 1885-6, with inside bearings and double end doors. Sombre dignity was added by painting it black while it was also graced by the addition of a Grecian funeral urn made of turned wood at each corner of the roof. Hearse vehicles were not uncommon on a variety of railways in Victorian times and in the case of the workplace death of a quarryman who resided in the Penrhyndeudraeth or Portmadoc areas, rail transport of the corpse from Blaenau Ffestiniog would be a necessity.
Its last known use, pre-restoration, was in July 1946, about two weeks before the closure of the railway. Princess, driven by Tom Davies took the body of Mr Evans from Rhoslyn Cottage at Dduallt by hearse to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The hearse van survived to preservation times and was finally restored to running order in 1991 to carry the ashes of Maggie Warner, a much loved volunteer. Since then it has been used only once when it carried the ashes of Michael Seymour in 1999. It is not suitable for use on the line without special arrangements being made and as a result is not available except under exceptional circumstances.[1]
It is currently located, within the WHHR museum, at Gelert's Farm Works in Porthmadog.
[edit] References
- ^ Festiniog Railway Heritage Group Journal - group House magazine Issue No: 030 , page(s): 022
