Advice needed for a restoration project

Markwoody73 · 20 May 2015

Hi there,

I'm new to the site and am enthusiatic amateur who bows to the experience of those of you who actually know what your doing.

We recently moved into a property with an old railway carriage on the land.

This was lived in and has stood in the same spot for 90 years!!!

It's looking its age and we'd like to restore this for friends, family and holiday lets. There is a lot to do.....

First question- Im chopping out the rot in some timber that has been got at by the weather. I understand that the best thing to do is harden the wood at the point it is crumbled too then use filler? Is this correct?

Second question - treating the wood - what would you use for preservative as after it is treated it will be covered by marine ply so needs to be strong long lasting stuff.

Third question -.we need to enclose a part that was opened up as a verandah. It has the original roof over. Would you use 4' x 2' stud? This area will need to incorporate a bathroom. Will 4' x 2' stud work be the correct building method in a bathroom?

Thanks for your help,

Mark

Harbourwoodwork · 20 May 2015

The best I can say is take rotten wood out and put back in good wood.
,an old carriage could have ash frames thats not a great wood for durability probably your best bet is replace with tanalised timber .
Primer and mastic joints and any mating surfaces.
Ply wood Don't waste money on marine ply ,It will cost you a bomb, many types are only moderately durable at best,A good quality WBP will do the job fine,Stay away from the Chinese ply.
Its worth thinking about insulation ,vapour barriers and ventilation
Cheers Ian

Markwoody73 · 20 May 2015

Harbourwoodwork said:
The best I can say is take rotten wood out and put back in good wood.
,an old carriage could have ash frames thats not a great wood for durability probably your best bet is replace with tanalised timber .
Primer and mastic joints and any mating surfaces.
Ply wood Don't waste money on marine ply ,It will cost you a bomb, many types are only moderately durable at best,A good quality WBP will do the job fine,Stay away from the Chinese ply.
Its worth thinking about insulation ,vapour barriers and ventilation
Cheers Ian

Hi Ian,

Many thanks for your reply.

A couple of points I'd like to clarify. Do you not recommend woe hardener and filler?

And where there has previously been a mortise and tenon, you'd suggest mastic wood together?

Thanks,

Mark

Harbourwoodwork · 20 May 2015

Wood hardener works well,but its no substitute for timber in a structural situation
Cheers Ian

Markwoody73 · 20 May 2015

Harbourwoodwork said:
Wood hardener works well,but its no substitute for timber in a structural situation
Cheers Ian

Thanks Ian.

Your point about mastic joints, is that the case for when sorting out the old framework??

Harbourwoodwork · 20 May 2015

All timber joints

Markwoody73 · 20 May 2015

Sorry Ian, I'm very new to this.

You suggest mastic as opposed to recreating mortise and tenon?

big-all · 20 May 2015

Markwoody73 said:
Hi there,

I'm new to the site and am enthusiatic amateur who bows to the experience of those of you who actually know what your doing.

We recently moved into a property with an old railway carriage on the land.

This was lived in and has stood in the same spot for 90 years!!!

It's looking its age and we'd like to restore this for friends, family and holiday lets. There is a lot to do.....

First question- Im chopping out the rot in some timber that has been got at by the weather. I understand that the best thing to do is harden the wood at the point it is crumbled too then use filler? Is this correct?

Second question - treating the wood - what would you use for preservative as after it is treated it will be covered by marine ply so needs to be strong long lasting stuff.

Third question -.we need to enclose a part that was opened up as a verandah. It has the original roof over. Would you use 4' x 2' stud? This area will need to incorporate a bathroom. Will 4' x 2' stud work be the correct building method in a bathroom?

Thanks for your help,

Mark

heeelllooo Markwoody73
i would get in touch with one off the preserved railways bluebell kesr watercress line ect
they may be interested in giving advice and may even be interested in buying you carriage allowing you to buy a new log cabin

Dave54 · 21 May 2015

There was an article in one of the woodworking magazines a long time back about the memories of someone who was involved in repairing railway carriages. May have been "The Woodworker" late 80s early 90s. Might be possible to get a copy of the article from them I suppose.
From what I remember the carriages are "coach built" on an ash frame for lightness. The roof is 3 layers of canvas hot laid with tar of some sort.

FWIW I'd agree with the advice to get in touch with one of the heritage railways. They be able to help with advice I'm sure if nothing else. In general I'd be inclined to replace like with like where ever possible to preserve the authenticity of the carriage.

Parrotface · 21 May 2015

Thanks for this but I've investigated this, but because I'm not a 'purist' the help is not quite as forthcoming as you'd think.

I'm not looking to put it back on tracks (like a railway enthusiast might be) but to make it functional which is very different to their aims...,

If anybody is interested, then I've uploaded some pics - please have a look!

Parrotface · 21 May 2015

Thanks for this but I've investigated this, but because I'm not a 'purist' the help is not quite as forthcoming as you'd think.

I'm not looking to put it back on tracks (like a railway enthusiast might be) but to make it functional which is very different to their aims...,

If anybody is interested, then I've uploaded some pics - please have a look!

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Advice needed for a restoration project

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