This clerestory roofed carriage was built in 1886 at Christchurch's Addington Workshops. The design is based on that of the ten Gilbert Cars imported from America in 1879. These carriages were the first to feature bogies, which offered a more comfortable ride for the passengers and allowed the vehicle to be longer than its predecessors. The carriage is 43' long and carries 18 passengers in first-class comfort and 24 second-class passengers in more austere surroundings; on bench seats. The restoration of A193 was completed in 1986 and regular maintenance has ensured that it has lost none of its charm. It weighs a mere 12 tons and runs on BP 60 bogies.

The exterior of Carriage A193.