Rolling Stock Movements

The last manufactured phase 1 buffet car no: 69318 currently* at the CVR has been bought by a private group and will be** shortly moved to the GCR where a bogie swop will be undertaken following which it will move to the MNR to join the ex Lymington 3 car unit.

*&** May have already moved.

 

Bulleid open 3rd 1456, has left the Bluebell and gone to the MHR on a 25 year loan. The intention is that she will be restored by the MHR, in return for which they get the remainder of that period to use her in their growing Bulleid set. I beleive she is in fairly good structural condition, but will require new external steel cladding and no doubt a million and one other jobs. (Unlike a Mk1, a Bulleid has steel cladding over a wooden frame. Although they look externally similar to a Mk1, they are about 5 tons per coach lighter...)

This is a good heritage outcome for the carriage: the MHR get use of a coach they can restore and use, whereas had it remained on the Bluebell, it is unlikely it would have been restored within the next 25 years due to the queue of other coaches - not least several other Bulleids - ahead of it in the restoration queue.

Tom

 

Is this it?

 

That's the one...

Tom

 

Ex GWR Ballast Hopper / Ex Rowntrees York 131 has now departed the NYMR for a new home at Cottesmore.
Departure was April 5th. No idea on GWR number and nothing visible in the frame.
Wishing the new owner every success in getting it back into a good condition again.

 

BY 653 has left the Bluebell en route to Mid Hants Railway.

 

I understand that first class kitchen car "Aries" has been purchased from outside a pub and will be moving to the KESR soon.

Anyone know more about this please?

Regards
Chris:

 

Despite the challenging economic situation, the Wealden Pullman continues to be well patronised, with average occupancy rates for scheduled services remaining in excess of 95%. 'Theodora' & 'Barbara' invariably run at capacity, so it is excellent news that Car 'Aries' has been secured for restoration & eventual inclusion within the formation. As regular readers will know, 'Aries' has been in the custody of Mr. Pat O'Connor, at Portsmouth Arms Station, for a number of years. Pat decided however that he wished to pass on the custody of 'Aries' and the Kent & East Sussex Railway were delighted to be offered the opportunity to purchase the car for use on the 'Wealden Pullman'.
'Aries' is the second vehicle to have been purchased by the 'Wealden Pullman Improvement Fund': customer gratuities are pooled by Attendants and used to fund improvements to the train & service offered. Sufficient funding remains available to enable transport & contract overhaul of the underframe, gangways, bogies, braking & steam heating systems. Further donations are however welcome to facilitate a swift return to operational service.

From Terry Bye's Pullman & CIWL Newsletter I wonder if this coach has been asbestos-stripped - the Golden Arrow cars were full of the stuff.

 

Thank you 61624, I am obliged to you.

Regards
Chris:

 

GWR 3963 Toplight Corridor 3rd; later, Camping Coach built 1919

Believe this coach has now left Llangollen for Didcot, though there is apparently concerns with possible asbestos?

 

Thqanks Gordon, I was only talking to the new owner last Thursday.

How is sunny Linkolnshire?

Regards
Chris:

 

69318 is now sitting on the proper B5s bogies and is safe and secure at the MNR. Work continues to upgrade the brakes to top operational standards and the body and interior to the standards* that we have come to expect from the owner.

* see 73210 and Perseverance.

Sunny Lincs is, well "sunny" but some 'b*****d' has written my car off.

Regards

Bodge.

 

Now securely under cover in the ASDA warehouse & not on public display. No issues re 'heritage insulation' that we're aware of as the lagging on the steam heat pipe is long gone & the internal electric switch/regulator cupboard is absent. Can't think of anywhere else you'd hide asbestos in a Manky Toplight.

Pete S.,
C&W Dept.,
GWS Didcot.

 

There's always places for it lurk - how much is left of the interior? Toilet compartments under washbasins where the washbasin heat exchagers were, under seats where radiators were are a couple of places

 

Its last use was as a sleeping coach. Was a former ambulance coach, 3x compartments with 2x beds in each, a lounge type area in the middle that has a wasps nest in a mouldy old sleeping bag and the back room that I never ventured in when I used to stay in it.

Don't know myself whether there is any left, but spoke with a director of LR at RailFest who hinted there was some in it.

 

Ex-Camp Coach/Departmental, so not a lot inside. Not seen any around the hot water stuff in other coaches, just a kind of matted lagging that holds moisture & rots the frame out.

However... this one was built in 1917 (i.e. after Quintinshill) so **might** be one that had the weird corrugated iron floor screeded with 'Swindon Fireproof Flooring'... whatever that really is... I've heard many theories as to its composition, but all seem based on hearsay & supposition. I'll ask further of those involved in the prep & transport.

P.

 

About 2-3 % asbestos content, but fine if not disturbed.

Bob.

 

As the author of the quoted text from Terry Bye's Pullman & CIWL Newsletter, I can confirm that Aries was asbestos stripped whilst in private ownership based at the East Lancs.
Movement from Portsmouth Arms will be undertaken when the ground is firm enough

 

I've heard this Pullman has now left Portsmouth Arms, not directly to the K&ESR but to an off site location for restoration. Can anyone confirm this please? Possibly to Ramparts at Derby?
Cheers
Steve

 

CCT 94181 just arrived at the Bluebell Railway - this is the new stores vehicle for the EF Howlden Charitable Trust, owner of the GNR Directors' Saloon also at the railway. This is a replacement for an SR Van C No 653 which has been sold to the MHR and left about 2 months ago.

Howlden Trust - BR CCT No.94181 and Bluebell Railway Vans - 653

Tom