Second Hythe Pier carriage restored – now for the King’s!

THE Hythe Pier Heritage Association returned a second restored carriage back into service just in time for its Centenary Celebration on July 23/24.

The project took almost a year with the bodywork being carried out by volunteers from the Hythe (Men’s) Shed (at the Pier) and the undercarriage by engineers from Blue Funnel Ferries.

Some of the original timber was able to be retained but the bodywork needed new frames, new skins, and replacement glass and electrics.

All of the seating and door furniture was reused after cleaning up.

Built by the Baguley Car Company under Drewry Cars order No. 1048 (also known as carriage 1), the carriage arrived in at the 2ft gauge pier tramway in June 1922 at a cost of £375, entering service without ceremony towards the end of July.

Next up in the HPHA restoration programme is Drewry Cars No. 1327 (carriage 2) – the first driving carriage that arrived in May 1923 and transported King George VI along the pier during a visit prior to D-Day in May 1944.

With DB Schenker driver Wayne Thompsaon driving, LMS ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 No. 45231 hauls the 8.45am Steam Dreams trip from London Victoria past Campbell Road bridge at Eastleigh on July 14. DON BENN

Good as new: Hythe Pier Railway carriage 2 following its restoration by volunteers. ALAN TITHERIDGE