PRESERVED ROLLING STOCK
The Scottish Railway Preservation Society has launched a fundraising campaign via the Virgin Money Giving website to support the maintenance and overhaul of its coaching stock fleet, particularly its set of main line-registered Mk 1s. With the SRPS’ entire programme of railtours cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, no funds have been generated towards the upkeep of the coaches, which still require maintenance even when idle due to outside stabling. By early December 2020, more than £11,000 had been donated.
GWR Hawksworth inspection saloon W80970W has returned to the Great Central Railway following a three-year stay at the North Norfolk Railway. Once part of the National Collection, the privately -owned vehicle was available for private hire over the festive period. Meanwhile, the overhaul of former LMS saloon DB999503 was also due to be completed by the end of 2020, as it entered the Great Central’s paint shop in mid November.
Mk 1 RMB 1838 was returned to the Bluebell Railway on December 3, 2020 after spending 14 months at the East Somerset Railway undergoing overhaul by Cranmore Traincare and Maintenance Services. The work has included the usual structural repairs to the ends; its Southern green scheme has been retained. At the West Somerset Railway, BR carmine and cream Mk 1 TSO 5025 was released from the workshop at Minehead on December 8 after receiving a partial repaint and a new coat of varnish.
At the Mid-Norfolk Railway, Mk 1 FK 13225 is now in the midst of an overhaul, including the rebuilding of one end due to corrosion. Removal of the windows and stripping out of the compartments is also underway to allow the bodysides to be attended to. This represents the most extensive restoration undertaken so far at Dereham.
Further coaches have been put up for sale in recent weeks as lines seek to raise funds during the pandemic. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway has made former Irish Rail Mk 1 Generating Steam Van 3188, which was originally BSK 34701, available for disposal, while the Pontypool & Blaenavon is offering Southern Railway Post Office Tender coach 4958. Dating from 1939, the vehicle spent 30 years in use as a workshop and store at the Mid-Hants Railway before moving to Wales.
Previously at Butterley, Southern PMV S2151S was delivered to the Cannon Street site of Hull College in mid-November, where it now resides in the car park. Acquired by the Hull & Barnsley Railway Stock Fund, it will be dismantled in due course to allow the underframe to be modified and used under the body of Hull & Barnsley Brake Third No 1. This vehicle dates from 1884, and its restoration is being undertaken by students at the college. Another PMV on the move in November, but with a better future, was S1633S. It left Washford for the Mid-Hants Railway following the eviction of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust from the West Somerset Railway.
Built in 1885 for the Great Northern, Third Class coach 1441 departed the Tanfield Railway on December 8, 2020 bound for a four-month stay at Stanegate Restorations and Replicas, Haltwhistle. The work is being funded by the government’s Culture Recovery Fund and it will involve all of the original compartments that are currently in semi-open form being reinstated. This will enable more passengers to be carried under social distancing rules. The vintage vehicle is another mounted on a Southern PMV chassis.