When the curly roof van was first constructed in 1873 times were very different.

It would have been unthinkable for a daughter to follow in her father’s footsteps and work at a carriage works, let alone be permitted to paint it.

This year, the father-daughter signwriting duo, Glenn and Sarah have collaborated to line out the curly roof luggage van, which is part of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways carriage collection.

In 2000, Glenn embarked on a lottery-funded apprenticeship at the carriage works to master the craft from artisans at Boston Lodge Works.

“I am very proud of Sarah picking up the skills and keeping this craft in our family.”

Glenn Williams

Sarah first got involved in 2016 during the ‘Young Volunteers Week’.

“I was one of the groups that joined the carriage works that week, so at just 14 I did the lettering on ‘166’ and ’99 van’. I realised this was the job that Dad did. The next summer I volunteered again and at 15 did my first lining work with Dad on Lilla, I was taught to look at the old photos and plan exactly where to paint.”

Sarah

Sarah joined the Boston Lodge Carriage Works working alongside her father and other fellow staff members in 2021.

Sarah is presently applying lining and gold leaf to ’19’, undertaking the task alone for the first time. This is the identical carriage that Glen restored by himself during its previous refurbishment in 2007.

“Gold leafing takes patience, we will use 23 books of gold leaf on ‘19’ during the job. Sarah will be working on this for another few weeks yet.”

Glenn Williams

Visitors to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways can view their handiwork at the ‘Bygones’ event this weekend, from the 4th to the 6th of October.