VETERAN reader Norman Thomas has put us on the right lines over a so-called 'glass loco' manufactured in Yorkshire by Pilkington Brothers.

It all stems from a query by a 79-year-old Moss Banker who asked if anyone could provide information about this amazing see-through specimen which he vaguely recalled from his younger days working for PBs at Doncaster. Now, according to Norman, from Frodsham Drive, Blackbrook, that Pilks pensioner wasn't quite on the right track.

He tells us that this special test of the workers' ingenuity began life as an ordinary railway carriage. It was then stripped out and entirely re-fitted with glass throughout its interior. The glass fittings, in a variety of colours, included mirrors, lighting system and vitrolite panelling.

At that time, adds N.T., he was serving in the stores and the tradesmen and their mates used to come there for the various parts required for the rail-carriage project. Our Blackbrook informant sets the date as being between 1937 and 1938. "It was to have gone to America, but because the second world war was looming it never got there."

And N.T. signs off: "I wonder if the planning department or the drawing office at Pilks' Kirk Sandall works had a picture taken of that unique carriage. If so, it would be nice to see this on your page."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.