Old Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway train carriage body finds new home

The train body has found a new home at Spotland Mill

An old Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway train carriage body saved from being scrapped has found a new temporary home at the Spotland Bridge Mill.

The body, which is almost 150 years old, was originally built at Miles Platting in the 1870s and is in need of restoration, having no underframe or wheels.

To save it from being lost forever, a Rochdale man, who does not yet wish to be identified, stepped in to save the carriage, which was located in Shropshire.

As a result of an appeal last month to house the old train, Nick Crewe, the owner of Crewe Industrial Services Ltd, has offered space at Spotland Bridge Mill, which is currently being refurbished to provide office space and workshops.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127418/rochdale-man-saves-150yearold-train-body-from-being-scrapped

The carriage’s saviour said: “Old railway carriages of this vintage are now few and far between. As a result of the recent appeal on Rochdale Online to find a temporary place to keep a railway carriage saved from destruction at the last minute, I am pleased a temporary place has been provided, thanks to Crewe Industrial.

“The mill itself is a very interesting piece industrial archaeology dating back to the 1830s. Goodwill gestures such as this are always heartening to those of us who care about our heritage. We will be making a detailed survey prior to looking for some charity or society who can take it on for full restoration.”

Nick added: “It’s always a pleasure being involved in a project which helps to save part of our industrial heritage, which is a subject that I am very passionate about.”