Travel in grand Victorian style in restored carriage

VISITORS to a Northumberland heritage railway will be able to turn back the clock to the days when directors were a class apart from their passengers.

- TONY HENDERSON

The directors' carriage on the Aln Valley line

The Aln Valley railway has restored the directors’ carriage that dates from 1896.

The North Eastern Railway carriage was equipped with its own kitchen, toilet and armchairs so that the railway’s directors and senior officers could travel in style.

Initially it was lit by oil lamps but there is evidence of both gas and electricity being used after 1911. It was later used as a dynamometer car, engineers’ saloon and tunnel inspection vehicle.

From Saturday, it will be added to specified journeys on the Aln Valley line for passengers paying a £5 supplement on a normal ticket.