Rare LNWR carriage needs new home

THE ONLY surviving ‘standard’ LNWR carriage is urgently seeking a new home.

Built at Wolverton in 1917, the six-compartment brake third is a typical LNWR wooden bodied non-corridor carriage – and a rare survivor alongside other LNWR carriages, which are either Royal Saloons, BELOW The LNWR six‑compartment brake third carriage at the Chasewater Railway. CRM Picnic Saloons, TPOs or an observation car. Withdrawn in 1957, it was purchased by the National Coal Board in 1958 for use as a ‘paddy’ train to take miners to work at Cannock Chase Colliery. Purchased by The Railway Preservation Society (West Midlands) in 1964, it moved from their Hednesford base to Chasewater in 1970. Examined ten years ago and deemed restorable, the vehicle is deteriorating owing to neglect during the pandemic and several storms, although the roof is still keeping the interior dry. The steel underframe, floor, ends, and partitions are all in reasonable condition, as is much of the side panelling. Chasewater Railway Museum curator Barry

Bull said: “This rare LNWR carriage deserves to live on as part of our railway heritage. I very much hope that it can find a new home. While there are those who say it should just be broken up, or sold off as components, it really deserves better than that. Even if a full restoration seems some way off, just conserving it to provide that future would be a significant contribution.”

The carriage is being offered for a nominal sum to a suitable home. To arrange a viewing or for more information contact: lnwrbrake@ chasewaterrailwaymuseum.uk