LYR No. 279 Four compartment First

LYR 279 4 compartment First (body only) built probably in 1879 or 1880.  Underframe removed and body relocated to Valley Gardens, Hapton near Burnley around 1910.  Donated by the family of the late Bob Christie in 1996, preliminary restoration has now begun using the underframe from an ex-LMS BGZ carriage, which will require a reduction in length by 6 inches to match the body – 279 was a very early example built by the L&Y and is shorter than most of their 6-wheelers.

Since 1996 the body and chassis have been conserved, but with the completion  of Club Car 47, restoration work is now in progress.  Although in generally good condition, the body needs some major work such as reinstatement of removed partitions and the jacking up on the roof to fit them, other work includes repair and reconstruction of framing, exterior panels and doors, fitting of interior panels and plush upholstery for 24 passengers as well as exterior finishing.    Lessons learned on previous projects should speed up progress, also many of the items required have been acquired, mainly by adding to orders placed for equivalents on 1474, 1507 and 47. A ‘First Class 279 Fund’ has now been launched, click here to make a donation or potentially sponsor part of the work.

In July 2010, 279 took part in filming for the BBC TV drama ‘South Riding’, a new three-part adaptation of the novel by Winifred Holtby, first shown in February and March 2011 on BBC One. See the BBC website for a feature on South Riding which briefly features 279  - click here.

Gallery - click the image to view ..