Carriage 2115
| Carriage 2115 Bodysgallen | |
|---|---|
 At Boston Lodge after external rebuild March 2010 | |
| Type | Pullman Saloon |
| Seating | 20 x 1st |
| Home Railway | WHR |
| Status | In service, held back as reserve |
| History | |
| Built by | Winson Engineering, Daventry |
| Built | 1998 |
| 2002 | Refurbished internally |
| 2009-10 | Refurbished and new livery applied |
| Technical | |
| Length | 42 ft 7 in[1] |
| Frames | Steel |
| Carriages | |
Carriage 2115, named Bodysgallen, is a Pullman carriage built for use on the Welsh Highland Railway.
Background[edit]
A sixth Winson coach made its début in September 1998. Built by Winson Engineering in Daventry. Runs on bogies imported from South Africa. Originally fitted out as a luxury Pullman-style vehicle, with sponsorship from the owner of the hotel of the same name in the Tudor mansion near Llandudno. While the concept is quite magnificent, the original structural workmanship needed upgrading at Boston Lodge because the carriage hogged (see why under No. 2040). The second picture below shows the hogging - i.e. the middle of the carriage rides higher than the ends. Prior to entering regular passenger services in 2002 following the opening of the extension to Waunfawr, the table mounted lamps were removed, the seats modified to raise their height and the tables raised by a similar amount. The marquetry panels at the ends of the saloon, the oval windows on the doors of the vehicle and of the butler's pantries, are worth noting.
In 2010 its already luxurious interior was repaired and upgraded at Boston Lodge. It seats 20 passengers.
The exterior view shows the Pullman brown livery. It is noted that the running number is not shown on the side of this vehicle - only its name. The interior views shows the ceiling details with light fittings. PA speakers mounted down the centre of the carriage with brass grills. Diesel fired hot air heating fitted. The left bottom picture shows the up direction (to Blaenau Ffestiniog) view, and the down direction (to Caernarfon). In January 2006 the reddish-brown carpet in the passenger compartment and the matting in the vestibules were replaced with FR standard blue "First Class" carpeting. New brass thresholds were also fitted at the four entry doors. As of the return to service on 11 February 2006, pets were prohibited from 2115. 2115 spent the winter of 2009/2010 at Boston Lodge for a major upgrade of the exterior including new panelling, doors and windows. The original mid-brown Pullman colour has been retained at the request of the sponsor (though doors are now white), so it is a different colour from 2100. At some point the electrical connections were removed from the Caernarfon end meaning it had to be coupled at the end of a train.
Following the completion of observation car 2152, Bodysgallen was removed from the main sets for some attention in the carriage works to allow it to be coupled in the middle of a train. It is in need of an overhaul, but the timings of this are still under consideration due to the cost involved. Bodysgallen is still available for use in reserve, able to be added to either set to provide additional First Class accommodation when required (for example during periods of high demand or when there are special groups). It is no longer used in daily service as, after 20 years of intensive use, the interior is in such a condition that it could very quickly fall below the standard expected of first class on the F&WHR.[2]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ General Rule Book
- ^ Paul Lewin (2019) "Letters to the Editor", The Snowdon Ranger, Issue 106, page(s): 51, Comment: Paul Lewin responded via the editor in response to a letter from Martin Kressman
