The world's first underground train carriage which fell into disrepair has been restored to its former glory - 120 years after it was built.
The unique 1892 London Metropolitan Railway first class Jubilee carriage ended up being used as a garden shed.
Craftsmen at the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway took 15 months to repair it thanks to a £422,000 grant.
It will return to the London Transport museum in January to mark the 150th anniversary of the London Underground.
Since August 2011, the carriage has undergone extensive renovation at Porthmadog.
There is more than half a mile of lining on the outside and more than £700 worth of 23.5 carat gold leaf on the carriage.
Metropolitan Railway first class Jubilee carriage How the carriage looked before restoration
All writing on the carriage has been completed by hand and 92% of the wooden frame is original.
The carriage was originally fitted with gas lighting which is no longer allowed under current safety regulations.
Modern LED lamps have been fitted to give the appearance of gas mantles.
Andrew Thomas, from the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway, said: "We had a team of six people, including some apprentices because that was part of the deal with the Lottery Heritage Fund - they want us to teach young people new skills.
"It was in quite a sorry state when it arrived - it had been used as a shed and had a toilet attached at the end.
"But to see the finished article was very special. To see her roll out for the first time and see Snowdon in the background - it was something else."
Going underground
Going underground
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
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oldr_n_wsr
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Re: Going underground
A toilet in my shed, now why hadn't I thought of that.it had been used as a shed and had a toilet attached at the end.
Guess what I'm installing this weekend?
Re: Going underground
Every man needs a shed!
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
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oldr_n_wsr
- Posts: 10838
- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:59 am
Re: Going underground
Got my motorcycle, my tractor, my generator (and mouse traps). A crapper would just complete the ensemble. (sp?)
Maybe a big screen TV and a heater?
Maybe a big screen TV and a heater?
Re: Going underground
I love a shed.
However, that restoration is stunning.
Put another four carriages on it, renovate them as rooms, place it on a bush block and I would be on an equal measure on the happiness scale as Larry.
However, that restoration is stunning.
Put another four carriages on it, renovate them as rooms, place it on a bush block and I would be on an equal measure on the happiness scale as Larry.
Bah!
Re: Going underground
A shed? Now all you need is a Computer in it and a shitload of pot!
Okay... There's all kinds of things wrong with what you just said.
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oldr_n_wsr
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- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:59 am
Re: Going underground
I get it. Can't fool me.Crackpot wrote:A shed? Now all you need is a Computer in it and a shitload of pot!
Re: Going underground
No quarter!
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Going underground
entertaining theories about a homoerotic 80's cartoon a plus.
Okay... There's all kinds of things wrong with what you just said.
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oldr_n_wsr
- Posts: 10838
- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:59 am
Re: Going underground
I'll take "Fritz the Cat" for $1000 Alex.
although that was the '70's
although that was the '70's