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This coach was built by the Abbot and Downing Company in Concord New Hampshire between 1890 and 1900. They were used for touring in Yellowstone National Park up until the advent of motorized busses. This coach was purchased from the West Yellowstone Transportation Co. by the Union Pacific Railroad to be used to carry passengers from the railroad depot in Ketchum Idaho to Sun Valley Lodge in Sun Valley Idaho which at that time was owned by the Union Pacific Railroad and is now owned by Sun Valley Company. We restored this coach in 1998 and it is still being used by Sun Valley Co. for special occasions.
This coach was also built by the Abbott and Downing Company of Concord New Hampshire except that this coach is an eight passenger instead of an 11 passenger coach. The history of this coach is the same as the one above except that it was built at an earlier date. We estimate this coach was built some time around the 1880's. As with the other coach this coach is still being used by Sun Valley Co. for special occasions. We completed the restoration on this coach in March of 2000.
Although this sleigh is essentially brand new, two of the body parts were used from an original. The Albany Cutter was originally designed and built by the James Gould Co. of Albany New York sometime around 1833. The design of the Albany Cutter is unique in the sense that the body and runners are built as one unit, unlike the Portland and Piano Box cutters where the runners and bodies are built as separate units. The Albany Cutter is very light and agile and was a stylish addition to any carriage house.
The Drop Front Phaeton is a stylish carriage which allowed easier access due to it's dropped floor, giving it the name drop-front. These are a very stylish carriage and are very comfortable to ride in. This Phaeton was built by the Milburn Wagon Co. of Toledo Ohio in the mid 1870's and was a 100 percent restoration with only the iron being reused. This vehicle was restored in 1994 and is still being driven today. Though this vehicle is a restoration we also build this style of carriage new.
The Mountain Wagon was a heavy spring wagon designed for mountain travel, they were equipped with side springs, elliptical end springs and brakes. The Mountain wagon is a comfortable, smooth riding vehicle and is one of my favorites to drive. This vehicle was originally owned by a railroad company and was used as a depot wagon to transport passengers and baggage from the railroad depot to the hotel. One of the features of this vehicle is that the rear two seats are removable which turns it into an express type delivery wagon for hauling packages and baggage. This particular vehicle carries six passengers including the driver. Though this vehicle shown doesn't have a top, many Mountain Wagons did. Heavier versions were also equipped with a rear platform for carrying luggage. We restored this vehicle in 1987 and it is a part of our private collection, it was also a 100 percent restoration with only the original iron being reused.
The Surrey was a popular vehicle for both families and businesses. Designed to accommodate four adults it could easily accommodate a family of five. The Surrey shown was built by the Deere and Weber Company of Minneapolis Minnesota sometime around 1900. For a short time the John Deere Company was in a partnership with the Weber Company before developing their own carriage company which they named the Reliance Vehicle. The John Deere Reliance Vehicles were built from 1899 to 1923. We completed the restoration of this Surrey in August of 2000.
The Trap is a stylish sporting vehicle used for show, pleasure driving and hunting. When this vehicle arrived at our shop it was a married vehicle, it had a Trap body and a Surrey gear. During restoration we rebuilt and shortened the gear and added the two rear springs so the gear now fits the vehicle. This vehicle can also be used as a Surrey by reversing the direction of the rear seat. The front seats then lift for entry while used as a Surrey. This vehicle was made in Canada. It is painted Brewster green with carmine pin stripping and black wool broadcloth upholstery. We finished restoring this vehicle in 2002.
Want to learn more about the different types and styles of vehicles? Then check out our Carriage House Library
Besides doing restorations and building new traditional horse drawn carriages, buggies, carts and sleighs we also can supply you with the necessary parts, and new wheels to keep your carriage running as well supplying harness to suit your driving needs. For more information you can e-mail us at; woodrivercarriage@msn.com or write to Wood River Carriage Works Inc. 18525 Hwy. 20 Bellevue, Idaho 83313 or phone us at; 208-788-2356 (office) or 208-481-0485 (shop)
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The Piano Box Cutter was generally a less expensive sleigh than the Portland or
Albany cutters. The Piano Box sleighs were used for deliveries as well as by
Doctors and by private families. We restored this sleigh in 1997 and the owner
still drives it during the winter months. This sleigh was built sometime around
1900. The colors are black runners, Brewster green body with tan English wool
broadcloth upholstery and gold pin striping.
Extension Top
Surrey 
The
Coal Box buggies were first introduced around 1862 and by 1866 they became one of the
most popular buggies in New York. The body of a Coal Box Buggy resembles a coal
box used for storing coal, hence the name. This particular buggy was built by O. H.
Oaten of West Winchester Ontario Canada, we guess the date to be sometime
around the early 1890's because of the use of square nails in it's construction,
although we found a patent date on the shaft hardware of March 8 1910, we do not
believe the shafts were original to the vehicle. We tried to find information on
the maker but were unsuccessful in our attempts. If you have or know
any information about the maker of this buggy we'd like to know more about him.
This is a very unique buggy and a fine work of art.
The Road Wagon was a very useful vehicle which could be used for carrying four
passengers or with the rear seat removed it could be used for hauling supplies.
This particular vehicle has been in the same family since it's original purchase
sometime around the 1880's. This vehicle is from the same area as the Mountain
Wagon shown above in western Nevada and both have the trade mark name of Concord
* NH * stamped on the springs and axles. They were both likely made by the
same builder in the same time period. Many small local shops would order the
running gears and wheels already assembled from major manufacturers and build
the bodies to suit the needs of their customers. With the slight differences in craftsmanship
between the gears and bodies, both of these vehicles seem to fit that criteria.
We finished restoring this vehicle in July, 2002.
