Owned and restored by a team led by Tony Lyster from Aylesbury, Bucks.
Located at the Bucks Railway Centre, this project involves the restoration of an 1894 LNWR Picnic Saloon from a grounded body used as a croquet pavilion to full working order. A unique aspect of this carriage is the authenticity of every small detail, from Mahogany panels to correct LNWR couplings, Mansell wheels and salvaged metal fittings and a new canvas and white lead roof covering. Internally, the saloon will be finished with original, or known original style, posters and pictures. The decorated ceilings and floor lino have been recreated using modern materials.
A once common vehicle type with social significance as it would have been used by our ancestors, rather than the aristocracy, for day trips and holidays for small pre-booked parties.
The grounded body has been mounted on a correct underframe, the exterior and interior totally restored to the highest standards after in-depth research and decades of searching for authentic fittings, and is now resplendent in new paint which awaits lining out by Heritage Painting next month. Newly printed monograms and crests will be applied afterwards.
The original couplings need some repair, a braking system needs completing with horizontal vacuum sac (in stock), the external communication cord (Harrison type) needs completing, pseudo gas lighting to create from recovered components, luggage rack brackets to design & cast and a steam heating system to complete below the floor.
It has been a long slog to return this saloon to as near original condition as possible and it is already receiving much praise for the high restoration standards achieved from fellow restorers.