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LNER Beaver tail observation saloons, what's happening with them ?

Discussion in 'Heritage Rolling Stock' started by toplight, Dec 29, 2017.

  1. 2392

    2392 Well-Known Member

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    I well remember seeing the large scale model Sawdust made, to help work out all those different radii needed. In order to recreate the original streamlined end of the carriage.

    Edit: Sawdust didn't build a model of the whole carriage. Rather approximately a third to a half at the streamlined end.
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2018
  2. Midlandsouthern

    Midlandsouthern New Member

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    Certianly takes alot of skill to craft the curves needed. Has more style than the lb&scr pullman ones i think
     
  3. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Fair play to you @Sawdust, that's something special, nice one!
     
  4. class8mikado

    class8mikado Part of the furniture

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    Lovely work.
    Elegant though it is it doesn't fulfil its brief as an observation car as you can see bugger all unless you are in the rearmost seats. Bet nowadays you could put glass roof panels over which would give a decent view (and show off all lovely trusses)
     
  5. Chris86

    Chris86 Well-Known Member

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    Stunning!

    Out of interest, what condition was it in before the restoration commenced?

    Chris
     
  6. ross

    ross Well-Known Member

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    That is a really beautiful bit of joinery there, Mr Sawdust you are to be congratulated. Those rear corner posts, are they made from solid or built up? and the roof boards, steamed and bent?
     
  7. toplight

    toplight Well-Known Member

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    Another couple of pics I took at the time. Is that you in the pictures Sawdust ?

    116_1608.JPG 116_1609.JPG
    116_1613.JPG 116_1620.JPG
     
  8. Sawdust

    Sawdust Member

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  9. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    A photograph of two Beaver tail Coaches
     

    Attached Files:

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  10. ruddingtonrsh56

    ruddingtonrsh56 Member

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    Why did they end up getting rebuilt in their new shape? Was it simply the original timber needed replacing and because of the complexities of shaping wood as original they were reconstructed to an easier shape? Or was it to improve passenger capacity?
     
  11. oddsocks

    oddsocks Well-Known Member

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    As I understand it, it was to improve visibility through the end windows.
     
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  12. Sawdust

    Sawdust Member

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    In their original form, a large proportion of the carriages were occupied by a compartment for carrying mail bags. Passengers seated in the relatively small passenger area would of had a reasonable view out of the end, which passengers seated further away from end would not have had. The streamlined end also effectively shortens the passenger compartment by two feet. The shelf below the end windows is only about 2 feet wide in the rebuilt form, whereas it is over 4 feet deep in the original, as it's primary purpose is to stop people knocking themselves out cold on the low ceiling!

    There is no evidence to suggest the streamlined body end were in poor condition.

    Sawdust.
     
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  13. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Weren't the seats in the originals horrendously uncomfortable to discourage passengers from staying too long, so the LNER could sell the seats several times during the journey?
     
  14. toplight

    toplight Well-Known Member

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    Is there any plans yet for where the one Sawdust is working on will run/be based once it is finished ?
     
  15. Sawdust

    Sawdust Member

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    No, they were off the peg chairs from Heals.

    Sawdust.
     
  16. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

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    I suspect you are thinking of the allegation made in respect of LNER Buffet Car chairs - not something I have especially found, albeit on journeys of a maximum duration of 1 hour 10 minutes! :D

    Steven
     
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  17. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I know this makes me a complete luddite, but at first glance (ignoring all the nonsense at beam level and below) this has an air of a Beavertail.... (not my picture came from @Clinnick1 on Twitter!)

    [​IMG]
     
  18. Steve B

    Steve B Well-Known Member

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    That reminds me of someone who has the wrong set of false teeth in...

    Steve B
     
  19. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

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    Looks at bit Darth Vadar-ish to me!
     
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  20. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    68 style buffers I notice! I do like those!
     

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