Bogie sponsorship Boosts ‘Barnum’ carriage restoration

The restoration of two of the Great Central Railway Rolling Stock Trust’s rare ‘Barnum’ coaches has taken a major step forward, after engineering firm Nemesis Rail agreed to sponsor the restoration of their bogies.

The four complete bogie assemblies from 1910‑built Open Tourist Saloon No. 228 and unique 1911‑built Saloon/ Brake No. 695 will shortly leave the trust’s Great Central Railway (Nottingham) base for overhaul. The GCRRST will also launch a match‑funding appeal in the near future.

GCRRST Chairman Richard Tilden‑Smith told Steam Railway: “We are not yet at liberty to talk of the sponsorship’s value to the project, or indeed what we have to raise in match‑funding. However, we have been asked to lift No. 228 and despatch the first two of the four in a matter of weeks – so all these details will be finalised very soon.”

The trust owns three of the four surviving ‘Barnum’ vehicles – so‑named because the design was inspired by the carriages used in the Barnum & Bailey circus train – while a fourth, Third Open Saloon No. 666, is on long‑term loan from the National Railway Museum.

Work on No. 228 is at “an advanced state,” said Mr Tilden‑Smith. “A massive amount of structural woodwork has been reinforced or replaced, as well as much of the exterior cladding, roof boards and ceiling, and the entire floor in the two saloons.

“While its teak body frame is still exposed on the outside, the two saloons have had their teak board cladding reinstalled. The next stages are the erection of the lavatory and wash basin partitions and the installation of the water tanks.”

For more information and to donate, visit www.gcrrollingstocktrust.co.uk