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London & North Western Railway Semi-Royal Saloon, with clerestory roof
Richard Salmon

Built at the same time, and with the same body style, as the LNWR's two Royal Saloons built for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, these Family Saloons (LNWR Diagram 1), with a day saloon and two small night saloons were frequently attached to the Royal Train for the use of royal staff, family or guests. The interior of the saloons is fitted out in the same "white naval" style as the two royal carriages which are preserved in the National Railway Museum. The corridors and vestibules are in polished timber, and the external doors are varnished mahogany, contrasting with the painted finish of the rest of the exterior.

The carriage is restored to its LMS condition. In LMS days it had remained, along with the other Royal Train vehicles, in LNWR livery but with LMS lettering. Privately owned, and restored at Tyseley in 1989 with the help of a MSC scheme, this exquisite vehicle was purchased privately by a Bluebell member in October 2000, and moved to the line to act as part of the Bluebell's dining train, entering service in mid-November 2000 following mechanical maintenance and refurbishment of the interior.

For much of the early part of 2001 the carriage received a major external overhaul, including new aluminium roof covering and a complete repaint, into wartime LMS lake livery.

There is a 360 degree view of the interior of the carriage on the Golden Arrow.

For more information about the LNWR, see the LNWR Society web site.