Strathspey Steam Railway is bright-eyed and beavertailed
After last year’s dramas, Strathspey Steam Railway is starting a new season all bright-eyed and beavertailed.
Yes, beavertailed.
That’s the correct term for the back of their rare observation carriage which delights both those inside it and those watching it glide by on its way from Aviemore to Broomhill by Dulnain Bridge
As SSR spokesman David Childs explains: the ‘Beavertail’ it is one of just two that were built in 1937 for the Coronation of George the Sixth.
Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, designer of the streamlined locomotive type A4, of which Mallard was one and still holds the record for the fastest steam locomotive in the world, the carriage was styled to compliment the locomotive on the front of the train, nowadays known as a ‘Fastback’ style.
Mr Childs said: “The sloping rear section was glazed to give a panoramic view. This shape gave rise to the Beavertail nickname and it was finished in a handsome two tone blue and silver livery.
“When world War came in 1939, the train was put into a storage siding and forgotten, that is until 1956 when one was sent up here to the West Highland line.
“Luxurious and elegantly appointed though it was, however, the sloping shape was soon found to be impractical for viewing the mountainous country, so in 1959 it was rebuilt at Cowlairs Works with a quite different tail, as you can see it today.
“The glazing was completely reshaped to the full height that allowed passengers a far better view of our magnificent scenery on the West Highland Line, running in this form until 1968.”
Both observation carriages have been rebuilt, the sister to the one described here retained the original design and can be seen in the 1:1 Collection , Margate, Kent (next door to the Hornby Hobbies Headquarters).
Miodel train lovers will soon be able to buy from Hornby a 00 gauge model of the original Gresley coach in its striking Coronation livery.
The rebuilt carriage is available to experience for a small supplement, between Aviemore and Broomhill stations on the regular Strathspey Railway trains, the service being three times daily for four days per week from now until the end of October.
There is a supplement of £6.50 on top of the normal £21.50 and this includes tea or coffee and a biscuit or slice of cake.
