It may not look like much now, but you wait to see what a little tender loving care can do.

The carriage, which is believed to be an original used on the line between Poulton and Fleetwood, has sat stationary in a field in Thornton for more than 90 years.

Most recently its passengers have not been excited day trippers or lovers bidding each other a tearful farewell from the windows – but chickens and turkeys reared by a local farmer.

But now enthusiasts from Poulton and Wyre Railway Society plan to restore it to its former glory.

Society secretary Dennis Goy said: "This carriage is the most exciting find we've ever had.

"One of our members heard a rumour while in a pub that there was a train carriage on this land, so we got the farmer's permission to come and look and we were delighted by what we found.

"It's about 30ft long and has four compartments in it. Although it is in a bit of a mess, structurally it seems OK.

"It was massively overgrown, so over the last few weeks the society has been working to dig it out.

Decide

"On Saturday we are having it removed and put into storage so we can decide what to do with it."

The railway society believe the vehicle could be up to 140-years-old.
Apart from its use in the last 10 years as a chicken coop, it has previously provided temporary accommodation to a district nurse and even been home to an injured railwayman.

The carriage was found on The Raikes Farm on Raikes Road in Thornton and was the property of Thomas Hodgkinson and his wife Eunice.

Mr Hodgkinson, 87, agreed to give the carriage to the society, but sadly he died three weeks before he got the chance to see this weekend's removal.

Mrs Hodgkinson, 83, said: "It is sad Thomas didn't live to see the carriage go. Perhaps it will be a nice legacy for him.

"The carriage was here when we bought the farm 63 years ago and we have used it for lots of things over that time. I'm looking forward to seeing what it will be next."

Haulage firm Fox Brothers have kindly agreed to remove the carriage into storage free of charge for the society so work to restore it can begin.

It may be restored to run again if safe to do so or may be turned into a tea room at one of the local stations.

The society has been working to restore the train line between Poulton and Fleetwood and is already renovating an old signal box.