coachbuilding and teak

[john coffin]

i agree nick, however it is valuable to know britain and burma were at a kind of war from 1824-about 1885, so it might not have been as easy to import direct.

kind of like now with the lack of cites papers

paul

[Dave]

I understand there were 3 English Burmese wars.
The first 1824 to 1826, the second 1852 to 1853 and the last 1885 to 1886.

[john coffin]

interesting what else you learn by looking at something as apparently simple as wood
although there were indeed a number of different specific wars. as it were, we were still having a go until in 1885 we lost patience and kidnapped the ruler and his family, and exiled them to india. oh the joys of the unsung wars of empire

i hadn't realised how large a part of india the burmese controlled until 1885, including places like assam.

i have certainly seen mention of moulmein teak, in the archives, just not sure at this time of the first mention in relation to the gnr
certainly the early gresley stock is so specified,.

paul

[kimballthurlow]

May I quote from an 1883 publication for general reading, about the use of timber in wagon and coach building in the railways of the UK. This might give some insight into the practices of the day, and may relate to railway companies generally.

Using the Midland Railway at Derby, as an example, he says of the log yard:
""..stacked in vast piles, are logs of ash, elm, East indian teak, Honduras mahogany - worth from £15 to £20 a log - red, white, and yellow deals from the Baltic and Canada, oak from Quebec and Stettin - worth £5 to £50 each; and satinwood from Kauri, New Zealand".

Of the actual carriage building he says "Here are 'bodies' 'in frame,' mere skeletons - like the ribs of a whale without his blubber, - but withal well-formed skeletons of sound English oak, to be covered with panelling, to be sheathed with Honduras mahogany."

Regards the finishing work, he says "...includes the veneering over the inside panels, the insertion of the window frames and windows, the fixing of the maple and satinwood, and the cabinet work generally."

Of the finishing timbers he says that it"...remains for two years to season before it is used."

Excerpted from "Our Iron Roads" by F S Williams, Bemrose and Sons, London, 4th edition 1883.
regards
Kimball

[john coffin]

very interesting thanks, must look out the book
useful to see he mentions east indian teak, not a specific type.

paul