LNWR directors’ saloon back and better than ever! SevernValleyRailway nowlooks to Christmas train operations too

ACCLAIMEDcoach restorer Stephen Middleton’s 1913 LNWRdirectors’ saloon has justemerged fromamajor refurbishment at Embsay.

Despite the LMS 1914 build plate, the coach was constructed at Wolverton in 1912 and completed just in time to join the Royal Train when King GeorgeV visited Crewe Works that year.

Among the directors who used it regularly was J Bruce Ismay, who was also chairman ofWhite Star lines and who survived the sinking of the Titanic.

The coach can be seen in newsreels of the test of Britain’s first main line diesels, LMS Nos. 10000 and 10001.

It was withdrawn fromBR service in 1965, along with the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway directors’ saloon. Both were saved and preserved at the North Norfolk Railway, which passed them on to Stephen, unrestored.

Stephen’s wife Qiuying sanded window surrounds, beads and doors to help John Furness achieve his legendary finish on the paintwork. The coachwill rejoin Stephen’s Stately Trains fleet on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.

Stephen said: “I am looking forward towelcoming guests on for afternoon tea, making them feel as special as those railway directors from over 100 years ago.”

HAVINGrestartedservices, the SevernValley Railway, likemanyother heritage lines, is looking ahead to the preparation of Christmas specials.

Inamajor enterprise, all carriages have been turned so all of the compartments are on one side, in anticipation for the lucrative Santa specials and Steam in Lights illuminated train which are planned to operate.

The last week in July saw three days of trial running to see how post lockdown trains would work in preparation for a full service beginning on August 1.

It was not just Covid- 19 that tried its best to close the line, but vegetation also had a go. Some trees were very close to the trains andwere set to be pruned back, while as on many other lines, railheads were noticeably rusty due to the lack of running.

One way systems are in operation to encourage social distancing and the timings are designed around this.

Inside each compartment is a small hand sanitizer and a plastic bag for rubbish which passengers are asked to take away. Overall, therewas a general feeling of safety and a huge effort had clearly been made.

August was seen as a test month ( for details of services and how to book, see page 14) and it was hoped that a near- normal service will resume in September.