Thread: Stephenson's Rocket

Hi All,

Started working on the seats of the carriage.

I have used 70 X 35 pine for the main seating, 19 mm thick pine for the back of the seat and a rake handle (cut down the centre) for the headrest.

I sanded the seat components to get the correct profile.

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I cut the cotton material and applied a slight smear of PVA glue to ensure the material stuck and then used a staple gun on the back section to secure the material at the back.

The 3 pieces of the seat are held together with 12 X 3 aluminium flat screwed in 2 places at the rear of the seat.

Needles to say - it would be a rough trip sitting on these seats.

The first seat is sitting in position. Still need to do finish off work on the ceiling etc. This photo is just to show how the seat will look.

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Regards

Keith

I'd say, wooden base, wooden back, wooden headrest, it wooden be very comfortable at all!!.

Looks first class to me. Better than walking. A bit of shelter from the weather too.

Looking great like the detail on the door with the handle and the trim seat looks good as well, did they have buttons on the seats then or were they left plain as you have done

Originally Posted by Dalboy

Looking great like the detail on the door with the handle and the trim seat looks good as well, did they have buttons on the seats then or were they left plain as you have done

Hi Derek

On the research I have done - some had buttons and some didn't in this era .

I might have a go at one compartment with buttons and make that a first class compartment.

Regards

Keith

Hi All,

Have been working on the cloth seats (blue) and have finished them off. Made up 4 seats which will be 2 Economy compartments.

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The third compartment will be a First Class compartment with red leather seating.
I have played around a bit trying to get the buttons in the seat.

I drilled and countersunk the timber I am using as the seat back

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I then covered the seat in red leather and glued and used upholstery staples to secure it in position. I then used small screws to pull the leather to the bottom of the countersink to look like the button bases.

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I then used a wad punch to cut out my buttons

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I then used 5 minute araldite to secure the buttons in place and assembled the rest of the seat and headrest

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Now onto the second seat

Regards

Keith

Words fail me, PERFECTION is the closest I can get x10

First class seats for a first class job.
Give Keith a problem and he comes up with a solution.

Hi All,

Hope you are all having a good Easter.

I have finished my seats and have used vinyl tiles as the floor covering in each compartment.

Photo below of an aerial view of the carriage.

I am now making overhead baggage racks for the first class compartment.

Regards

Keith

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I've been watching this WIP from the back stalls but yesterday I moved to the fence. SWMBO and I are touring and visited a museum in Manchester. Stephenson's Rocket happens to be currently on display in its birthplace.

Very nice indeed Keith just one question would they have had luggage racks on the first carriages. As for a nice Easter that is a different matter but I do hope that you had a good one

Originally Posted by Dalboy

Very nice indeed Keith just one question would they have had luggage racks on the first carriages. As for a nice Easter that is a different matter but I do hope that you had a good one

Hi Derek,

Yes a good Easter with the family.
Thanks for your comments. After researching the carriage - it appears as though there was not internal luggage racks in the First Class carriage. Thank you. I have already made up 2 "brass" baggage racks. I will make up another 2 and place them in "Economy" This carriage does have external baggage racking on the external roof.

Regards

Keith

Hi All,

I have made up the second set of overhead baggage racks for the Economy Class compartments. Now waiting for the "brass" to set.

Used 4mm dowel as the rails. Cut down pine for the back board and the rail supports.

Have fitted my first set of 2 to one of the Economy compartments.

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Regards

Keith

First class passengers would let the servants handle the luggage. Servants get to travel in third class.

And your work is only First Class!