Old railway carriages repurposed for other uses.

[stj]

The Old Station Visitor Centre in Tintern Monmouthshire has 2 Mk2 AC vehicles at platforms in GWR Brown/Cream livery

 

[341o2]

I believe there's a grounded carriage on the platform at Chinnor (Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway) which is used as a bookshop. There's also a Mk1 coach used as an extra seating area for the café at Bodmin (Bodmin & Wenford Railway), and a Mk1 used as an exhibition coach IIRC at Toddington (Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway). Perhaps not as interesting as coaches being turned into restaurants or holiday homes, but relevant to this thread nonetheless I suppose.

-Peter

When I last visited, it was the station buffet, there is the Bird's Nest Cafe on the Swanage railway, being a carriage on wheels

 

[Peter C]

When I last visited, it was the station buffet, there is the Bird's Nest Cafe on the Swanage railway, being a carriage on wheels

Is this about Chinnor? If so, I think you're right - where I got bookshop from I don't know! I think they have the bookshop in the main station building?

-Peter

 

[Richard Scott]

Not sure if the Jct 28 restaurant, think it's the old station in Bassaleg near Newport, has an old coach as part of its restaurant.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Not sure if the Jct 28 restaurant, think it's the old station in Bassaleg near Newport, has an old coach as part of its restaurant.

The restaurant is on the site of the old station building, although I'm not sure whether it's the original building any more. There isn't a coach there.

 

[Richard Scott]

The restaurant is on the site of the old station building, although I'm not sure whether it's the original building any more. There isn't a coach there.

Ok, thanks, think one section made to look like an old coach. Cleared that one up for me.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Is the "shop coach" in one of the sidings on the platform 1/2 side of Bury Bolton Street station (East Lancs Railway) still there?

 

[Cowley]

There was a piece on Devon Live about the camping coaches at Dawlish Warren today.
I’ve been keeping an eye on how they’ve been getting on over the last few years and I’ve got to say that they’ve done a very nice job on them, because they were rough!

Inside Devon's most unique holiday park

Brunel Boutique Railways has six different luxury carriages for guests to choose from

www.devonlive.com

The Brunel Boutique Railway consists of six different carriages, each available for private hire.

Each carriage has three separate bedrooms and can accommodate up to six people.

Bedrooms vary across the carriages, some complete with bunk beds and others twin beds, making the accommodation ideal for family holidays or grown-up getaways.

The carriages have underground heating throughout, a surprisingly spacious kitchen, and shower cubicle.

 

[edwin_m]

"Underground Heating" won't be very effective, as they still appear to be on their bogies several feet above ground level!

 

[Cowley]

"Underground Heating" won't be very effective, as they still appear to be on their bogies several feet above ground level!

I was thinking that too.
I assume they meant underfloor heating.

 

[D6130]

Not sure if it's still there, but a few years ago there was a bed & breakfast at Rogart station on the Far North Line where the sleeping accommodation consisted of three old carriages - two mark 2 (FKs?) and ex-BedPan class 127 DMU driving motor brake second. Always wanted to stay there, but never got the chance!

 

[WesternLancer]

Not sure if it's still there, but a few years ago there was a bed & breakfast at Rogart station on the Far North Line where the sleeping accommodation consisted of three old carriages - two mark 2 (FKs?) and ex-BedPan class 127 DMU driving motor brake second. Always wanted to stay there, but never got the chance!

I stayed there some years back - absolutely excellent. Carriages spotless inside - very nice. Called Sleeperzzz or was then. Indeed Mk2s. I think some of the Eddie Pond east anglia murals still in them so I assume ex NSE

STRATHISLA | Mysite

www.sleeperzzz.com

 

[madannie77]

Another camping coach in Scotland is the ex GNSR 3rd composite dating from 1916 at Cromdale, not too far from Grantown on Spey & the Strathspey Railway.

Being shorter than modern coaches it is a bit cosy and it is necessary to go outside to get from the bedrooms to the kitchen!

Camping Coach

The self catering railway coach is ideal for four people, with emphasis on comfort and warmth. Each bed is fitted with memory foam mattresses, electric blankets and bedside lamps. Towels and bedlinen are provided. All rooms have individually controlled heaters and the Guard’s Van has a gas...

www.cromdalestation.co.uk

I stayed there a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the highlights was a rather spectacular sunset one evening. Click on image ofr full size version:


photograph shows a vivid sunset over the camping coach at Cromdale

 

[John Webb]

Not sure if it's still there, but a few years ago there was a bed & breakfast at Rogart station on the Far North Line where the sleeping accommodation consisted of three old carriages - two mark 2 (FKs?) and ex-BedPan class 127 DMU driving motor brake second. Always wanted to stay there, but never got the chance!

It was still there two years ago:
Railway vehicles and ephemera at the Sleeperzzz Hostel

© Copyright John Lucas and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

 

[Jaz avalley]

i drove past this,apparently it is now a garden shed

 

[WesternLancer]

i drove past this,apparently it is now a garden shed

Interesting - looks rather rare and old. What part of the country is that located in?

 

[Jaz avalley]

Interesting - looks rather rare and old. What part of the country is that located in?

a bit east of Peterborough
the side not as interesting but for interest anyway

 

[madannie77]

There is something similar just off the B5322 in St Johns in the Vale, not too far from Keswick and the splendid Threlkeld mining Museum. I don't know what it is used for.

Many years ago (2003) I photographed this one on a rather dodgy digital camera



It can be seen on Google Streetview: https://www.google.com/maps/@54.574...4!1sQzfe5mVJoABwGn8mWbTP-Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

[WesternLancer]

a bit east of PeterboroughView attachment 91206
the side not as interesting but for interest anyway

Thanks - interesting to see from that angle too - looks like it needs some TLC - amazing really that timber carriages out in all weathers do survive so long. Wood aint what it used to be....!

 

[341o2]

#78 Reminds me of Annabel, the former LSWR coach body, which after withdrawal became a camping coach at Worth Matravers. It is now at Harmans Cross station, Swanage Railway, used as a workshop

 

[John Webb]

There is something similar just off the B5322 in St Johns in the Vale, not too far from Keswick and the splendid Threlkeld mining Museum. I don't know what it is used for.

Many years ago (2003) I photographed this one on a rather dodgy digital camera

View attachment 91210

It can be seen on Google Streetview: https://www.google.com/maps/@54.574...4!1sQzfe5mVJoABwGn8mWbTP-Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

View from the opposite side from the farm track beyond the stone wall:
Residential Carriage

© Copyright Bob Jenkins and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

According to the Vintage Carriages Trust's Survey of Carriages this is a former North British Railways coach, probably a former 6-wheeled composite. See the detailed information at http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=4716
(This survey is a very useful reference source.)

 

[WesternLancer]

There is something similar just off the B5322 in St Johns in the Vale, not too far from Keswick and the splendid Threlkeld mining Museum. I don't know what it is used for.

Many years ago (2003) I photographed this one on a rather dodgy digital camera

View attachment 91210

It can be seen on Google Streetview: https://www.google.com/maps/@54.574...4!1sQzfe5mVJoABwGn8mWbTP-Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

another amazing survivor!

View from the opposite side from the farm track beyond the stone wall:
Residential Carriage

© Copyright Bob Jenkins and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

According to the Vintage Carriages Trust's Survey of Carriages this is a former North British Railways coach, probably a former 6-wheeled composite. See the detailed information at http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=4716
(This survey is a very useful reference source.)

That must be a rare survivor!

View from the opposite side from the farm track beyond the stone wall:
Residential Carriage

© Copyright Bob Jenkins and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

According to the Vintage Carriages Trust's Survey of Carriages this is a former North British Railways coach, probably a former 6-wheeled composite. See the detailed information at http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=4716
(This survey is a very useful reference source.)

Just perused that link for NBR examples - sad that tho a few listed almost all are wrecks, despite having survived so long. Looks like Boness SRPS have tried to do some good work on those they have secured however.

 

[Bullfield WEst]

There used to be a carriage at Donington Park, on the left as the track goes left through the chicane to the long loop. Don't know what it was ever used for. Not there anymore but was still there in 1993.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

There used to be a carriage at Donington Park, on the left as the track goes left through the chicane to the long loop. Don't know what it was ever used for. Not there anymore but was still there in 1993.
View attachment 91229

A mk2 if I remember rightly. Sure I took a picture or two of it while at Download Festival one year.

 

[Delenn]

There used to be a carriage at Donington Park, on the left as the track goes left through the chicane to the long loop. Don't know what it was ever used for. Not there anymore but was still there in 1993.
View attachment 91229

I'm pretty sure it has gone now. I heard it was in poor condition at the end. It used to be used for hospitality I believe.

 

[VEP3417]

theres this in brockenhurst - new forest as a cycle hire shop, looks a bit worse for wears these days though as this photo was from 06

and there is an old cattle wagon in a field a few miles away used as a cattle shelter

 

[J-Rod]

View attachment 91191
i drove past this,apparently it is now a garden shed

That's not far from me at all. This was last September - the chap whose garden it's in has been restoring it somewhat over the last six months, so it's alot tidier now. Also, the place it's located is a place called Whaplode Drove... which is literally the middle of nowhere.

 

[Jaz avalley]

That's not far from me at all. This was last September - the chap whose garden it's in has been restoring it somewhat over the last six months, so it's alot tidier now. Also, the place it's located is a place called Whaplode Drove... which is literally the middle of nowhere.


View attachment 91781

Oh can you pop up a recent picture one of the other guys mentioned it was a game it was going to wrack and ruin so I suspect both of us would be. Interested

 

[John Webb]

That's not far from me at all. This was last September - the chap whose garden it's in has been restoring it somewhat over the last six months, so it's alot tidier now. Also, the place it's located is a place called Whaplode Drove... which is literally the middle of nowhere.


View attachment 91781

See http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=4702 for details of this GER Luggage composite coach.

 

[J-Rod]

Oh can you pop up a recent picture one of the other guys mentioned it was a game it was going to wrack and ruin so I suspect both of us would be. Interested

I'll head over that way at some point within the next few days - I'd be interested to see how he finished it, too!