RAILWAY enthusiasts have got the opportunity of a lifetime – to live in a converted railway carriage from the 19th century.
The vintage carriage is up for sale for £55,000 and can be used as weekend retreat or holiday home in the beautiful setting of Barrowmarsh Caravan Park, Heybridge.
The 1880s carriage from the Great Eastern Railway line was bought by Debbie Smith 20 years ago and was lovingly converted to provide a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and sitting room, and can be lived in for up to nine months of the year.
The 60-year-old said: "I must say it is a truly lovely place to live in. It's unique and I love all of the extra features that are bespoke to this carriage. It has tonnes of history to it and would be appreciated.
"Everyone always seems to be surprised at just how much space there is on the inside of the carriage. It is pretty roomy when you get in here – and it may look old but its modern inside."
The original trains used to transport the great and the good around the South East of England on holiday trips to the coast and out to the country for some much needed R and R from smoggy Victorian London.
Most of these carriages were in use until the demise of the steam train, but this particular one is known to have accommodated evacuees during the war.
Steeped in history it is a train spotter's perfect opportunity to have a little piece of the past with the comforts of modern day life.
Debbie said: "Heybridge is a lovely place to live anyway, but living in here has made my time even more special and peaceful, and I love the tranquillity of life here.
"It's easy to see why we have had a lot of interest already.
"You can really feel at home with nature and the environment when you're down here – that combined with the history of the carriage makes this a great place to spend your time."
Debbie commissioned an expert builder for over year to complete the renovation work.
It is understood, the carriage was abandoned at the caravan site in the 1940s and had slowly fallen into disrepair, until Debbie fell in love with the idea of living in a train carriage and renovated it.
She is now choosing to downsize because her mother has a chalet near the site and she spends a lot of her time in London where she works as a as a kinesiologist, somebody who studies the science behind human movement.
She said: "It will be sad to see it go – because it does suit me but it will suit countless other people and couples."
The railway carriage has been authenticated by the Railway Preservation Society as having travelled on the Stratford line of the Great Eastern Railway having been built at Stratford Works and it would have been a great luxury to have travelled in this beautiful carriage in Victorian times.
The property is for sale through John Alexander estate agents.
