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

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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)

 

Stunning!

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

Chris

 

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?

 

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

 

Nope sorry!

Sawdust.

 

A photograph of two Beaver tail Coaches

 

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?

 

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

 

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.

 

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?

 

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

 

No, they were off the peg chairs from Heals.

Sawdust.

 

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!

Steven

 

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!)

 

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

Steve B

 

Looks at bit Darth Vadar-ish to me!

 

68 style buffers I notice! I do like those!