A Craig & Mertonford coach body which only ever appeared in one photograph on p68 of the March 1975 RM has been found right under the noses of the members of the Edinburgh & Lothians MRC.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48892582688_23bd74a9c2.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hutgrA)The 'Ancient Coach' body Oct 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hutgrA) by Malcolm MacLeod (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157354560@N03/), on Flickr
The chance discovery of the coach body happened recently in the E&LMRC clubroom when a member, Richard, was looking through the March 1975 RM for the plans of Eyemouth station. In the same RM is the article on the C&MR which includes the only known photograph of a four wheel compartment coach or 'one ancient coach' as P D Hancock describes it. Another member, Linny, on taking a look at the CMR article recognised the coach in the photograph on p68 as the one being used on a temporary basis as a grounded coach body in the goods yard of the new club OO layout. The former C&MR coach body was immediately re-assigned to the club
Good detective work!
Is that static grass, carpet fluff or as I fear a growth of mould?
A bit of static grass or something similar. Definitely not mould!
Malcolm
Lord Craig had a problem. Where to keep the coach? The answer came from Angus McPwhat who asked if the locomotive shed staff at Dundreich and the local permanent way gang could have the coach as a messroom. After all it was fitted out as such and conversion back to an operable passenger coach would cost a substantial sum of money. His lordship agreed to their request and it was decided it could be parked in the siding opposite the engine shed where it would not be in the way. No time was lost in refitting a pair of old bogies of the type previously fitted to the coach and Angus found three of the four buffers hiding in a corner of a storeroom and they were re-fitted. As the coach would be static the missing fourth buffer was not a problem No couplings were fitted just in case the p-way gang should get ideas above their station and ask for the coach to be moved around the system as their work required.
The first photo shows 'Calum' gingerly moving the coach into position at the end of the long siding at Dundreich whilst the second photo shows the coach in position and 'Calum' back on shed. Angus and the shed staff are enjoying a celebratory cuppa in the coach.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49705890161_3d0429966d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iJkFqe)Calum manoeuvres the coach into position 1 - Feb 2020 (https://flic.kr/p/2iJkFqe) by Malcolm MacLeod (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157354560@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49705357303_2593cfeb74_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iJhX22)The coach positioned at new home 1 - Feb 2020 (https://flic.kr/p/2iJhX22) by Malcolm MacLeod (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157354560@N03/), on Flickr
Looks very cosy, but sadly there doesn't appear to be room outside for a table and chairs for the few days when it isn't raining. Maybe some steps would make getting in and out easier? Hope the wheels are securely chocked!
David.
They are all on the other side of the coach David - to provide some privacy away from the prying eyes of the station master, whose house and garden are at the end of the platform opposite and to the right of the engine shed in the photo, and of course the general public waiting for trains in the station itself - wouldn't want anyone writing anonymous notes to Lord Craig about railway staff sitting around in the sun and drinking tea after all.
Mick
Good thinking, Mick.
Isn't this sort of thing known as a bothy down here in the south?
David.
Bothy, mess room call it what you will I do not think Mr MacGregor, the Dundreich station master, gives two hoots!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49715931068_c28a1e39ed_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iKe9ej)IMG_3222 (https://flic.kr/p/2iKe9ej) by Malcolm MacLeod (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157354560@N03/), on Flickr
In the above photo despite the presence of Lord Craig on the platform Mr MacGregor is relaxing in his deckchair whilst the pway train, hauled by a replica 'Joan' is parked opposite the platform, the pway gang are having lunch in the mess room / bothy.
Malcolm
Apologies - just my sense of 'humour'... to me 'bothy' is a distinctly Scottish word.
That looks like a fine gents' urinal on the platform - I hope Mr McGregor is relaxing upwind of it, especially on a sunny day.
David.