Railway heritage takes centre stage at The Platform 

Train carriage lifted into place at new youth centre

Final destination: the train carriage being moved to its new home at The Platform in Faringdon Road

Swindon’s railway history was marked with the delivery of a train carriage to a new youth centre last Sunday.

 
The Platform youth centre, in Faringdon Road, will be the new home for a Mark II First Great Western first class buffet carriage, which is 13ft high and 67ft long.

The green 30 seat carriage will take pride of place in the main hall and will be used as a break out room for activities when the youth centre officially opens to young people later this year.

The project has been organised by Swindon Borough Council officers following a consultation with young people about how the interior of the building should develop.

The £10,500 carriage has been sourced from a military base just outside of Banbury.

 

It is being cleaned up in Birmingham before it is delivered to Swindon. Further work to restore the carriage for its new purpose will be undertaken by young people when it is in position.

 

“This carriage will be at the heart of The Platform as a reminder to young people of their heritage and how Swindon came to be the thriving town it is today," commented Cllr Garry Perkins, Cabinet Member for Children Services

 

"I hope it will also add an element of fun and excitement to this flagship building, which will interest young people as they use the space for activities.”

The carriage arrived on a trailer in Swindon and was lifted into position at The Platform by a 150 tonne crane.