Hythe Pier Railway carriage is back on track following extensive restoration
THE Hythe Pier Heritage Association (HPHA) placed 99-year-old restored carriage No. 4 back on the track, running along Hythe Pier during a brief ceremony on May 29.
With support from Blue Funnel Ferries engineers, the HPHA has been restoring the carriage, the first of two ordered in October 1921 by the owners of Hythe Pier and despatched from the constructor on May 26, 1922, maybe arriving 99 years to the day prior to the Back On Track ceremony.
Carriage No. 1, which arrived a month later, has been withdrawn from service for the next restoration project.
Extensive restoration
The restoration at The Shed at the pier included new side frames, built using Iroko hardwood with marine grade plywood panelling. New safety glass and period electric lighting units have been installed but the seating was in such good condition that only restaining was required.
Funding for the project came from a sizable grant from the Beaulieu Beaufort Foundation and from the local community through events and donations.
The same day, HPHA held a naming ceremony for locomotive No. 16307.
The 104-year-old tractor unit was named Gerald Yorke by Nigel Hasted and Sara Richardson, grandchildren of Gerald Yorke, the consultant engineer for the Hythe Pier Railway project.
Engineers in the Blue Funnel Workshop have reproduced sections of the metalwork and renewed the mechanics, along with the team at The Shed making new luggage racks, compartment boxing and a new coat of paint.
Gifted
No. 4 and No. 16307 were gifted to HPHA by Blue Funnel Ferries and leased back to the ferry and pier operator for use on the 2ft gauge electrified railway.