Restoration of an Old Railway Carriage

Seeking Oil-Based Paint Donations

Restoring an old railway carriage is a labour of love, combining preservation with skilled craftsmanship. Our current project involves bringing back to life one of our railway carriages, with special attention to maintaining its authentic charm while ensuring durability. One of the critical aspects of this restoration process is the sealing and finishing of the hessian covering on the roof.

Our Requirements

To achieve this, we are in need of at least 5 gallons of oil-based paint. Here’s what we are looking for:

Oil-based paint (part cans or full cans)
Any colour
Not frost damaged

We understand that our specific needs might seem flexible, but this allows us to make use of various resources that might otherwise go to waste. The oil-based paint will play a crucial role in sealing the hessian material, providing a robust and weather-resistant finish that will protect the carriage for years to come.

Why Oil-Based Paint?

Oil-based paint is known for its durability and excellent adhesion properties, making it ideal for outdoor applications where surfaces are exposed to the elements. When applied to the hessian covering, it will create a strong barrier against moisture, preventing deterioration and extending the life of the material.

How You Can Help

If you have any oil-based paint that meets the criteria mentioned above, we would be incredibly grateful for your donation. Whether it’s a part can or a full can, your contribution will make a significant difference in our restoration efforts.

We are dedicated to preserving the historical integrity of this railway carriage and ensuring it can be enjoyed by future generations. Your support and generosity are vital to the success of this project. If you let us know what you can donate and bring it in – we’ll supply you with a free coffee and show you what our volunteers are doing in the workshop on this restoration.

We started work on 2nd January. It was 25 year old felt and long passed its sell-by date. This entailed stripping the felt and cleaning the base timbers. All were in surprisingly good condition. We then glued on light plyboard to ensure the correct contours and take out the slightly uneven timber base. It is then painted and made smooth. The next step was applying the oil based paints and stretch in the hessian. Photos of the operation and different stages are below and will be added as the project progresses.