HISTORIC WOODEN CARRIAGES REUNITED ON POPPY LINE

Appropriately enough on the eve of St George's Day, four historic wooden carriages were re-united on the Poppy Line. Described by the National Railway Museum as "the most important piece of heritage rolling stock in the country", the Quad Art articulated set was designed by the famous Sir Nigel Gresley for use on intensive North London suburban services from King's Cross in the '20s. The carriages pioneered the articulated method of coupling now used on Eurostar trains.

Over the last four years, the carriages have been restored with the help of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The total cost of the restoration approached £400,000.

Two of the carriages arrived back on the Poppy Line last year. The remaining two were reunited with their sisters on April 22nd, and all four will now be run-in on the Poppy Line before their official launch, scheduled for June.