More information about this rebuild (the official FR Press Release)
Historic Underground carriage heads for LondonPorthmadog, November 19th 2012: An historic carriage, built in 1892 for the world's first underground railway, has taken the next step on its journey back to London. The gleaming carriage, finished with gold leaf and carrying no fewer than ten coats of varnish, bears little resemblance to the sorry-looking hulk which arrived at Porthmadog, North Wales in August 2011 after being used as a garden shed.
Craftsmen at the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway this week completed the painstaking 15-month restoration of London Transport Museum's unique Metropolitan Railway first class Jubilee Carriage number 353, largely thanks a £422,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The carriage travelled from Boston Lodge Works and over Britannia Bridge in Porthmadog before being loaded onto a lorry for transport to the Great Central Railway in Loughborough for trials as it is too large to be tested on the narrow gauge F&WHR.
In January 2013, the carriage will join original Metropolitan Railway steam locomotive No. 1 on a journey through the old Metropolitan Line tunnels of Paddington, Euston, King's Cross and Farringdon to Moorgate to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the world's first underground railway and will then operate on heritage lines to help recoup the cost of renovation.
A few statistics on the renovation:
· There are twelve coats of varnish on the exterior and nine on the inside woodwork
· There is more than half a mile of lining on the outside
· There is more than £700 worth of 23.5 carat gold leaf on the carriage
· There are no transfers on the carriage; all signwriting was done by hand
· 92% of the wooden frame is the original material
· The carriage was originally fitted with gas lighting, forbidden under present day safety regulations. Modern LED lamps have been given the appearance of gas mantles to maintain authenticity
London Transport Museum is also planning a year-long programme of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary including an exhibition - Poster Art 150 - London Underground’s Greatest Designs and a Museum trail highlighting milestones in the history of the development of the London Underground. Other events include Behind the Scenes activities and Open Weekends at the Museum’s Depot in Acton, West London, pop-up theatre in the disused Aldwych Underground station, late opening of the Museum on Fridays, plus talks and guided tours. There is also a range of anniversary gifts available in the Museum’s Covent Garden shop and online at
www.ltmuseum.co.ukBuilt by Cravens in 1892, the four-wheeled carriage is the sole survivor of the Met's 'Jubilee' stock and is of considerable historic value. London Transport Museum was awarded Heritage Lottery funding for the restoration with the aim of returning 353 to running order.
The restoration is supported by a programme of learning and participation. The London Transport Museum Friends have contributed towards the project, which also included a related programme of heritage skills development, with apprentices working alongside Boston Lodge staff.
2013 also sees the 150th anniversary of the world's first narrow gauge steam locomotive on the Ffestiniog Railway. The original engine, Princess, was built in London in 1863 and will be returning to the city of its birth for display at Paddington Station on St David's Day, March 1st. In April, sister loco Prince will be in steam at London Transport Museum's Acton depot.
/ends/
Hi-res pictures at
www.festrail.co.uk/press in the
Rolling Stock, Met353 folder. Note that these run to two pages.
Video at
http://youtu.be/6nbAUqii6wM