This four-wheeled coach is the flagship of the Vintage Carriages Trust. It was built in Gorton, Manchester, by The Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway (MS&LR). It is a "tri-composite", having compartments for all three Classes - one First Class, one Second Class and two Third Class compartments, with a central luggage compartment. The MS&L grew into and was renamed the Great Central Railway in 1897, as part of its aspirations to reach London. The carriage ended its service days with British Railways as a tool van and was purchased in a dilapidated state. Some conservation was carried out shortly afterwards. but restoration in earnest did not start until 1983, being completed in 1985. It has been restored to early Great Central Railway livery.
The Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway was built as a rather rambling cross-country line from Manchester to the various small communities of Lincolnshire and to New Holland (for the ferry to Hull). It also reached Grimsby and the new seaside town of Cleethorpes.
Despite its age the "pot lamps" suspended in the compartment ceilings are originals, one even bears the Manchester Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway mark. These oil lamps would have been lit and then dropped into place by the lamp man, walking along the roof of the train as dusk approached.
Both First and Third Class compartments are present in the same carriage. The First Class compartments have two levels of furnishing. Initially the plush seated compartment would have been First Class (as it is now), and the leather seated compartment Second Class. Second Class was done away with and all compartments with more than the basic wooden seats were labelled as First. In this way all railway travellers could aspire to be "first class" citizens!
Since restoration, this carriage has been much in demand for special "Victorian" celebrations, including the 125th Anniversary of the Worth Valley Railway and the 150th Anniversary of the opening of Keighley station.
In March 1989 HRH The Duchess Of York travelled in this carriage when HRH visited the Museum of Science & Industry, Liverpool Road Station, Manchester.
