Image: Caledonian Engineers Saloon No.41 (30704263396)

Description: A coach with a most complex history. It was built as a West Coast Joint Stock (i.e. LNWR/CR joint) Diagram 41 50'6" 3rd Class Kitchin Dining Car No.484 at the LNWR's Wolverton Works in 1893. It was of all wooden construction with a clerestory roof and two 6-wheeled bogies. After use on the West Coast route, in 1906 it was transferred to the Caledonian Railway and converted to a Composite (1st/3rd Class) Dining Saloon No.41 (Diagram 63). In 1919-20 the CR's St. Rollox Works completely rebuilt it into an Officers' Saloon/Buffet Saloon to Diagram 63A with a new steel 48' underframe lengthening the coach to 51'. The 6-wheeled bogies were replaced by standard Caledonian 8' 4-wheeled bogies and an arc roof replaced the clerestory. The interior was gutted and two saloons (large and small) fitted, the kitchin being relocated. A corridor connection was fitted at one end only, the other end being fitted with three observation windows. Apparently, it was used both for engineers and, when not so needed, as a buffet car in ordinary service. After absorbtion into the LMS, it was renumbered 15555; then in 1927 the Birmingham Railway & Carriage Co. further rebuilt it into an Engineers Saloon No.45018 with a second corridor connection replacing the observation end and LMS Fowler 9' 4-wheeled bogies. After Nationalisation, BR(ScR) fitted it with Gresley 8' bogies in 1955 and, following collision damage, again rebuilt it in 1960 as an Inspection Saloon with an observation end similar to contemporary dmu's whilst some windows were replaced by BR pattern ones with sliding ventilators. A new interior consisting of a saloon, kitchin and guard's vestibule was fitted. It's BR (ScR) was Sc45018M. It was not withdrawn until 1972 - a life of 75 years! It was then preserved and used as an Observation Car. Pictured at Bulmers' Steam Centre, 04/74. Scanned slide taken with a Kowa SET.
Title: Caledonian Engineers Saloon No.41 (30704263396)
Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/camperdown/30704263396/in/album-72157676059257925/
Author: Hugh Llewelyn
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Attribution Required?: Yes