The Carriage & Wagon Department at the Churnet Valley Railway has been busy during the winter months refurbishing some of its coaches.

Along with the unique RH Kitchen Coach RK80030, dining cars Diana and Nicholas have been extensively restored.

After two months of dedicated work, Diana has been transformed and returned to service, ready for the 2026 season.

Volunteers and staff worked to completely refresh the vehicle and bring it back up to the high standards appropriate for a dining train. After hundreds of hours of preparation and restoration, the work is complete, and Diana is now a credit to the fleet.

Externally, Diana was completely repainted, which started off with extensive preparation work by sanding down. Then, flattening the paint back between coats and applying two full undercoats, two gloss coats, and three coats of varnish. To ensure the best possible appearance and protection, the roof received four separate coats of paint.

Inside the coach, the woodwork has been carefully restored and revarnished throughout the saloons, and new lighting has been fitted to create the sort of luxurious atmosphere that would have been enjoyed by passengers in the famous Pullman coach Topaz at the National Railway Museum in York.

The work also included removing and deep cleaning the carpets and tables, refurbishing and repainting the table legs, and refreshing the toilet areas.

The unseen areas underneath the coach also received attention, including rebuilding and adjusting the brake equipment, and recommissioning and testing the vacuum and steam heating systems.

The railway acknowledges the commitment and enthusiasm of its volunteers, who carried out a range of tasks from painting and varnishing to engineering, cleaning, and woodworking. All contributions, however small, played a part in the refurbishment.

The Churnet Valley Railway holds regular special events throughout the year, such as the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party at Easter and the Polar Express train at Christmas.