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20/09/2024

At the National Transport Trust Awards held within Fawley Hill I was taken by surprise at the success of the GER 1877 Prince of Wales saloon. It received the Sir William McAlpine award, the David Muirhead award and a restoration award. Honey and I were present and received the certificates from HRH Princess Anne. The restoration and high quality result would not have been possible without the excellent facilities at Embsay, John Furness' metal working, varnishing, lining and lettering, Andrew Hirst's pipework for heating and brakes, Jonathan Shardelow's fine woodwork, Jack Greenwood's wood scraping and brass polishing and many others' co-operation and encouragement. Thank you!
Photo credit National Transport Trust. (Well worth joining!)

02/08/2024

This is the Prince of Wales' railway carriage, built in 1877. Its' 30 month restoration at Embsay gives Stately Trains another fine Royal carriage to join its' Victorian train. There are selected dates shortly to appear on Embsay Railway's website under 'Dales Dining' for whisky, gin and wine tastings. Grateful thanks to John Furness, Andrew Hirst, Jonathan Shardlow, Jack Greenwood, Charlie Billingham, LNERCA, Alan Chandler and all who encouraged and helped. Embsay with its' fine workshop facilities and undercover carriages sheds is a wonderful place to volunteer. One leaves each day happy with a job progressing well!

19/08/2020

Embsay based 1912 London and North Western Railway directors' saloon has just been refurbished and is used for afternoon teas from Embsay. Here is a photo prior to refurbishment. A great view from these large windows! This special locomotive pulled the directors' saloon in York.

16/08/2020

14/08/2020

05/08/2020

Two Transport Trust award winners meet for the first time at Embsay station. Queen Victoria's LSWR 1887 saloon and the LNWR directors' saloon of 1912. That coach formed part of the Royal train that year when Kind George V visited Crewe works. One frequen illustrious passenger was LNWR director J Bruce Ismay. He was also Chairman of White Star Lines he survived the Titanic disaster. In the early newsreels of LMS pioneer diesels 10000 and 10001 this coach can be seen second in the train. First was the L & Y dynamometer car which also survives, restored at Butterley. It is these stories that make such carriages so fascinating. Thank you Transport Trust for helping save these special coaches and so much more.

21/07/2020

Looking forward to seeing you on this special carriage