New details have emerged in the mystery of an LNER train carriage unearthed by archaeologists in Belgium.

Last month the train operator revealed the railway cart, thought to be almost a century old, had been found overseas in the city of Antwerp.

The carriage, found wedged in the ground was discovered by archaeologists digging for a new ring road and appeared to be a wooden removal truck which would have been used to carry people’s belongings when they moved home.

It has now been dated to around the year 1930 when it’s thought it was used briefly by LNER.

The Northern Echo: The carriage has been examined for clues as to its past.The carriage has been examined for clues as to its past. (Image: LNER)

It is thought to be a first model, with more commonly-used and later versions painted blue, making the discovery even more rare.

Antwerp archaeologist Femke Martens said: “The wooden removals truck is thought to be around one hundred years old.

“It’s a mystery as to how the carriage came to be in Antwerp, and unfortunately there’s very little left of the relic as it disintegrated while being excavated.

The Northern Echo: The LNER truck being unearthed in Belgium

“Upon closer examination, its only identifiable features were the inscriptions which included ‘FURNITURE REMOVAL TO HOUSE,’ ‘Enquire at any station,’ ‘BK769,’ (which identified the truck’s size – B – and its use, for furniture, - K) and crucially ‘LNER’.”

The LNER (London North Eastern Railway) brand dates back to the 1920s when it was one of the one of the big four railway companies. It wound up due to nationalisation in 1948.

The Northern Echo: LNER markings can be seen on its side.LNER markings can be seen on its side. (Image: LNER)

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But in 2018 the brand was revived when the Government took over the running of the line from Virgin Trains.

LNER’s Stuart Thomas said: “This curious find has certainly generated lots of interest and we are delighted the team from the Urban Archaeology department of the City of Antwerp have helped shed more light on the discovery.

"We’re fascinated by LNER’s history, and we’d like to thank the team for their help in unearthing more information about LNER’s proud past.”