THE BEAVERTAIL
An Unusual Carriage
David Childs
This unique carriage can be seen attached to the rear of the train as it leaves Aviemore each day during the main running season. Nicknamed the ‘Beavertail’ it is one of just two that were built in 1937 for the Coronation of King 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 complement the locomotive on the front of the train, what one might call a ‘Fastback’ style. 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 war came in 1939, the train was put in a storage siding and forgotten until 1956, when one of the Beavertail carriages was sent up here to the West Highland line. Luxurious and elegantly appointed though it was, the sloping shape was soon found to be impractical for viewing the mountainous countryside. In 1959, it was rebuilt at Cowlairs Works with a quite different tail, as you can see it today. More Meerkat than Beavertail, maybe? The glazing was completely reshaped to the full height, allowing passengers a far better view of the 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). You will soon be able to buy from Hornby a 00 gauge model of the original Gresley coach in its striking Coronation livery.
So far this season, the ticket sales for the Beavertail saloon have been encouraging, with the coach running up to three-quarters full most days. The coach will be staying with us for the rest of this year.
CARRIAGE & WAGON NEWS
David Childs
Restaurant car 4477 has been receiving some attention. This car has six doors, all of which needed repairs. One was broken and is being replaced. Each door requires skilled assembly and fitting. Additionally, there was some rust damage which had to be cut out and replaced by welding in new pieces. When finished, the affected areas will be re-painted and re-lined.