Last Saturday saw our hardy volunteers continue preparing 1950s-vintage CIÉ ‘laminate’ carriage 1918 for its restoration. Having dealt with the old bar area the previous week, this time our novice gang turned their attention to removing panelling from the guard’s compartment. Counterintuitive though it may seem, dismantling is a key stage for any thorough carriage restoration, and also a great learning tool for our newest recruits to learn about woodwork and how a carriage is put together. The team have made great progress in just a few weeks, we’re not even finished January yet.
What is fascinating to our carriage buffs is finally seeing how these ‘laminate’ carriages were constructed for the first time. They are literally a series of plywood hoops going from the floor, right across the roof and back down the other side. Designed for a short 15 year working life, it’s amazing they’re still standing nearly 70 years later. That said, the hoops have sagged and part of this project will see the entire roof replaced with a more durable design. We like a challenge. Or punishment.
Also integral to any good job is, of course, tidying up at the end of the day. Which therefore never happens. So we were shocked to see the team made sure that no mess was left behind in their wake.
If you would like to get involved with 1918’s restoration, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with us via our volunteering page.
Even if you can’t volunteer, becoming a member is great, cost-effective way to support our work. You can join up here.
