On Sunday 7th of July, the ‘Gelert Explorer’ service rolled out of Caernarfon station with an additional carriage included in the train – Pullman Carr. No.2115 ‘Bodysgallen’.
This was the carriage’s first run following an extensive overhaul, refurbishment and repaint into the sumptuous, Victorian-inspired livery carried by all of the F&WHR’s recently built First Class carriages.
Prior to departure a ceremony was conducted on the platform to mark the re-launch of ‘Bodysgallen’ and to thank the sponsor, Peter Campbell, for his generous support of the work undertaken to return this popular carriage to service on the Welsh Highland Railway. The gathered guests and officials then took their seats in ‘Bodysgallen’ for a return journey to Beddgelert.
‘Bodysgallen’ was built in 1998 and after around twenty years of service was retired from the active fleet. However, it has always been a popular carriage with those who enjoy the traditionally-styled interior, so when funds became available it was agreed to complete a comprehensive rebuild to return it to its former glory.
The appearance of the carriage is yet another testament to the skills of the team at Boston Lodge. The overhaul included attention to various areas of the bodywork, a reprofiled roof, new carpeting, re-upholstery of the seating and a repaint into its fully lined and sign-written purple-brown livery.
We look forward to seeing the carriage in service for many years to come – providing additional First-Class seating and accommodation for larger Group Travel parties.
Ar Ddydd Sul 7fed o Orffennaf, cychwynnodd gwasanaeth ‘Fforiwr Gelert’ ei daith o orsaf Caernarfon gyda cherbyd ychwanegol wedi’i gynnwys ar y trên – Pullman Carr. Rhif 2115 ‘Bodysgallen’.
Hwn oedd siwrne cyntaf y cerbyd yn dilyn ailwampio, adnewyddu ac ail-baentio’r lifrai moethus, wedi’u hysbrydoli gan Oes Fictoria, a oedd yn cael eu cario gan bob un o gerbydau Dosbarth Cyntaf RhFfE a adeiladwyd yn ddiweddar.
Cyn gadael cynhaliwyd seremoni ar y platfform i nodi ail-lansiad ‘Bodysgallen’ ac i ddiolch i’r noddwr, Peter Campbell, am ei gefnogaeth hael i’r gwaith a wnaed i ddychwelyd y cerbyd poblogaidd hwn i wasanaethu ar Reilffordd Eryri. Yna cymerodd y gwesteion a’r swyddogion a oedd wedi ymgasglu eu seddau yn ‘Bodysgallen’ ar gyfer taith yn ôl i Feddgelert.
Adeiladwyd ‘Bodysgallen’ yn 1998 ac ar ôl tua ugain mlynedd o wasanaeth ymddeolodd o’r fflyd weithredol. Fodd bynnag, mae wedi bod yn gerbyd poblogaidd erioed gyda’r rhai sy’n mwynhau’r tu mewn â steil traddodiadol, felly pan ddaeth arian ar gael, cytunwyd i gwblhau ailadeiladu cynhwysfawr i’w ddychwelyd i’w hen ogoniant.
Mae ymddangosiad y cerbyd yn destament arall i sgiliau tîm Boston Lodge. Roedd yr ailwampio’n cynnwys sylw i wahanol rannau o’r corff, to wedi’i ailbroffilio, carpedu newydd, ail-glustogi’r seddi ac ail-baentio i mewn i’w lifrai porffor-frown wedi’i leinio’n llawn ac ‘sign written’.
Edrychwn ymlaen at weld y cerbyd mewn gwasanaeth am flynyddoedd lawer i ddod – gan ddarparu seddi Dosbarth Cyntaf ychwanegol a llety ar gyfer partion Teithio Grŵp.
