Strathspey Railway’s Observation Coach
Over 50+ plus years ago the railway preservation scene is Scotland was almost non-existent, but one important site was The Lochty Private Railway. As most will know this was home to the A4 pacific “Union of South Africa” which was attached to a “Beaver tail” observation coach that once plied its trade on the West Highland line and in its retirement had been purchased by John Cameron for the use of transporting visitors to his railway. It was here in the late 1960’s early 70’s that I first encountered this vehicle.
The coach itself had a long history, first coming into service as part of the “Coronation set” in 1937. Its design of the roof formed an end that curved downwards and the ends swept inward to mimic the profile of the A4 locomotive pulling he train. This complex shape resulted in an innovative design using acrylic sheets to form the observation window as it was not possible to use glass to obtain the shape. Due to this design only the passengers sitting in the rearmost swivelling armchairs, of which there were sixteen, had a good view of the disappearing countryside. An additional price of 1/- (5p) per hour was charge to those who wished to travel in the observation coach. Livery of the coach and its accompanying vehicles were Garter Blue for the lower panels and Marlborough blue for the upper. The roof was spray painted aluminium white with the window frames and exterior fittings and lettering were in stainless steel and the underframe, bogie and wheels were black. Choice of these colours was sponsored by British Colour Council as part of the celebration for King George VI Coronation. First working of the service was 5th July 1937 and this saw an improvement in the maintenance, inspection and carriage cleaning with the employment of twenty additional staff at each of the locations where the train was serviced. These locations were Craigentinny and Hornsey. Trains arrived for servicing at 10:30p.m. where carriage and wagon examiners worked until 2a.m. and fitters until 6a.m. Exterior of the vehicles were washed with soap flakes and water then leathered and polished, jobs all done by hand. This including the need to use a turntable to turn the observation coach before its return journey, these additional services did not push the train into loss making. On the contrary the service made a profit 13/8 (69p) per train mile. Services ceased on Thursday 31st August 1939 and the stock went into storage for the duration of the Second World War. They did have a run out not carrying passengers from time to time to ensure that the running gear did not seize up.
Various attempts were made by the LNER to return the Coronation sets to traffic, but these were not successful and it was not until 1948 that the reappeared with a livery change in 1949 to British Railways “Blood and Custard”.
The two Observation or Beaver Tail cars were modified at Cowlairs in 1959 and out shopped in BR Maroon with one becoming 1719E. As part of the rebuild to improve viewing a more angled ended window was fitted with the interior seating increased to 28 armchairs and it went into Fort William and Mallaig service until the end of the summer season in 1967.
In 1968 it was purchased by John Cameron for his Lochty Private Railway where it trundled up and down the line between Lochty and Knightsward until the 1990’s when the line closed. The coach was then purchased by The Great Central Railway where worked commenced with the removal of asbestos and an appeal was launched in 2003 with sufficient funds being made available in 2004 for work to commence on full restoration.
Fast forward to 7th of April and the Strathspey mixed traffic weekend saw the first outing of 1719E. Its official entry into service was on Wednesday 12th April and despite the weather being on the “bracing side” the trip was excellent made more enjoyable by 
being in the company of Andy Fillingham Chairman of Friends of The Great Central Main Line who was representing the owners of the coach. Now on loan to The Strathspey Railway the coach will be attached to the set in service each day. There is a slight premium price to pay to travel on this coach, but you do have the choice of a tea or coffee, Tunnocks Tea Cake or Whisky Muffin included in the price of the ticket.
Surroundings are excellent; the full art-deco inside has been restored, the original map showing its BR West Highland route has located and reinstalled on back on the rear wall as per BR days. Nostalgia at its best and well worth considering a trip at some point this year.
For modellers a 00 version of the observation coach will join the Hornby range this year, reference number R40227 that will retail at £66.99. Modellers in 0 Gauge have the choice of a number of variants in The Golden Age Models range. These are as built LNER two tone blue, as in early British Railways service in “BR Blood and Custard” and lastly as per the 1959 rebuild and now running on The Strathspey Railway in BR maroon. These highly detailed models do not come cheap retailing at £650 to £750 per vehicle. They also supply these models in 00 at the slightly lower price range of £250 to £350 per coach.
