Railholiday is a family company that has built a living providing self-catering accommodation in restored railway carriages. The family started with the restoration of The Old Luggage Van in 1995 and such was the demand that they added The Travelling Post Office to their St Germans station base. They have since added The St Ives Bay SK2 carriage at their second location in Hayle, about 5 miles from St Ives on the west coast of Cornwall.
Each carriage has a different character, and perhaps the most historic is the 48 ft long Travelling Post Office No. 841, built for the Great Western Railway. It went into service in 1889, hauled by the City of Truro on its famous 100 mph run and was originally designed for broad gauge running. Converted to standard gauge in 1891 until its withdrawal in 1934, for many years the carriage formed part of a house in Wales. Now converted to sleep up to six in a combination of double room, sofa bed and bunk beds, The Travelling Post Office is a great place for families, friends and couples alike.
The passenger luggage van also has seen long service, having been built for the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) at Eastleigh in 1896. It was recovered from a site at Wadebridge, Cornwall, in 1995 following its withdrawal from service in August 1932.
What the St Ives Bay carriage might lack in history (it was built in 1957), it makes up in original fittings, including all the compartments, lamp shades, luggage racks, mirrors, blinds and upholstery.