Ffestiniog Railway ‘Carriage 14’ – Current Condition

Please Note: If you would be interested in FR 14 in any of its earlier FR conditions, please contact me to register an expression of interest

Carriage 14, which also known as The Snapper Bar is currently in use on the FR as a buffet car. It was originally built for the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway as a ‘non-corridor brake third’ in 1897. After the closure of the L&B in 1935 it was sold to a local individual who located it near the former ‘Snapper Halt’. It was subsequently purchase by the FR in 1959 and was rebuilt as a ‘Corridor Buffet Car’, and originally included provision of a guard’s compartment at the Porthmadog end. This work included lowering of the frames on the bogies, reduction in the height of the sides and resultant sharper roof profile, removal of the guard’s ducket and a significant internal refit.

It was well received on entry into traffic in 1963 and gained the name ‘Snapper Bar’. Given this success it was subsequently used as the basis for the new ‘Centenary’ stock; indeed, one theory is that the ‘Barn’ moniker stems from FR 14s origins on the L&B.  It received various minor modifications over the years, including a change of name to William Madocks in 1977 but was in regular use into the early 1990s, when it was replaced in front-line service by the newly built Carriage 114.

It was subsequently rebuilt into its current form, which is more visually sympathetic to its L&B origins. This included representation of the duckets as well as changes to the doors and panels including a return to traditional droplights. The standard FR ‘Mountain Prince’ colour scheme is retained but is applied in the style of the original L&B livery.  The interior now features a traditional wooden ‘bar’ with the kitchen area extending behind it and third-class seating in the passenger section.

It then went on to see further regular service as a buffet car up to 2016, but upon completion of carriage 125 the buffet facilities were no longer routinely required. However, it is still part of the active fleet, and even occasionally sees use as a ‘Bar Car’ for special events.

This 16mm scale laser-cut kit, has been produced in collaboration with William Curry combining his excellent scale drawings, and Resurgam Rolling Stock’s proven design and construction techniques for easy and accurate assembly. This kit represents Carriage 14 in its most recent form and is available in MDF or Plywood to be specified at time of ordering.

The kit It includes individually glazed panels with droplight frames and all of the multiple panel and beading layers are represented in full relief. Please note that in order to keep the external beading layer as thin as possible 0.6mm Polybak is used for this application on both the MDF and Plywood kits as standard.

The guard’s ducketts consist of the main 3D printed structure, including all of the beading which can be painted red prior to final assembly. The ‘Cream’ panels are separate inserts that can be painted prior to fitting, thus avoiding any complicated masking and allowing for easy production of a crisp, clean result. 3D printed door handles, grab-rails, ventilators, ‘solid’ vacuum pipes, electric connectors and SLR Models 3D Printed Door Buffers and Locks are included as standard.

The kit is available for 32 or 45mm Gauge, with the 32mm gauge the kits supplied with laser cut bogies of the correct prototypical profile. For 45mm a set of ‘45mm Gauge Optimised Bogies’ will be supplied. Kits for both gauges will be supplied with steel wheelsets running on shouldered axles and appropriate bearings. The finished vehicle should operate down to a 3ft radius on either gauge but will cut a substantial chord in the process.

Of course, you couldn’t have a buffet / bar car without providing full interior detail too; that’s what makes them such interesting subjects to model. All of the parts for the cabinets, bulkheads and racking for the bar and buffet area are included as standard and are enhanced with numerous additional 3D printed parts, which are supplied unpainted. These most certainly include the ‘Beer Pumps’ and ‘Modern Style Kegs’ which although not often carried, would have been a churlish omission. Of course, you also have the obligatory 3D printed fire extinguisher, and then moving into the kitchen you have the Towel and Soap Dispenser, Waste Bin, Hot Water Tap and naturally the Kitchen Sink.

Couplings and decals are not supplied with the kit, but the decals, including the ‘Snapper Bar’ name panels for the ‘toplights’ are available from Endon Valley Custom Decals.

Availability

At present the first batch of these kits is expected to be ready for dispatch in Mid-March 2026, then at the usual 28 days notice thereafter.

Dimensions

Length Over Headstocks: 562mm

Roof Height: 135mm

Width Over Body: 97mm

Extreme Width: 113.5mm Over Ducketts

Prices

Ffestiniog Railway Carriage 14

Please specify at time of ordering

MDF: £225.00 each + Postage

Plywood: £255.00 each + Postage

If you would like to place an order, please see our ‘Ordering Page’