PRESERVED ROLLING STOCK
The 125 Group has completed the purchase of two further Mk 3 trailers from the now redundant East Midlands Railway fleet, which means it now has nine coaches on its books to go with powers cars 43048 and 43089. The new additions are TS 42120 and 42337 which, like previously earmarked 40741, 41067 and 42119, are from set NL03. All five were awaiting transfer from Gascoigne Wood in mid-February. They are reported to be in good condition with only minor faults to resolve, although one of the five is expected to be used solely as a source of spares. With access to the Great Central Railway – Nottingham currently suspended due to a bridge failing its structural inspection, the power cars and Mk 3s 40730, 41057 and 42111 are stabled at Rectory Junction, with 44000 already at Ruddington.
The two former Virgin ‘Pretendolino’ Mk 3a coaches previously acquired by the Crewe Diesel Preservation Group were finally tripped over to the Crewe Heritage Centre at the beginning of February. FO 11007 and TSO 12011 had most recently resided at the Locomotive Services depot awaiting the completion of their journey. In the long term they will be paired with 47712 and Mk 2f DBSO 9711 to recreate a ScotRail push/pull formation.
Recently sold by the Bluebell Railway, 1928-built Pullman Parlour Third 76 Lilian departed the West Sussex line in midJanuary for the West Coast depot at Carnforth. Once used as part of the railway’s dining train, it has been stored out of use for several years due to the deteriorating condition of its steel bodywork and the cost of carrying out a full overhaul compared to the cheaper wooden-bodied Pullman cars. During January, work was underway at Carnforth to dispose of four of the Mk 2a coaches acquired from the East Lancashire Railway last autumn. Believed to be TSOs 5238, 5254, 5333 and 5396. The company was offering the plastic seat units, which are difficult to dispose of commercially, free for collection to preservationists.
Further details have emerged of the plan to convert two redundant Mk 3 trailers into a Thai-themed restaurant next to Pitlochry station called The Wee Choo Choo. Former GWR vehicles 40807 and 41161 were acquired from Porterbrook towards the end of last year and moved from Long Marston to the Stoke yard of Reid Freight Services. Since then, they have moved on to the premises of WG Specialist Coatings where both had been repainted into BR blue/ grey by the end of January. They are owned by Fergus McCalIum and his wife Isara, who plan to restore the original BR interiors. They are awaiting the outcome of a planning application to Perth & Kinross Council, which involves laying a section of track for the Mk 3s to stand on. If approved, it is hoped the restaurant can be opened this summer.
At Eastleigh Works, work is well underway on providing former prototype Mk 3 TS 42356 with original IC70 seats from Class 317s that have been scrapped at the site. Now owned by Northumbria Rail, the former 12003 is, at the same time, also having its internal panelling exchanged.
After a restoration lasting 13 years, Coronation Beavertail observation car 1729 was completed at the turn of the year. Painstakingly rebuilt by a dedicated team based at Nemesis Rail’s Burton Depot, the superbly finished 1937-built vehicle was immediately removed by road to the One:One Collection at Margate to await a future unveiling when the site opens to the public. Also now at the former Hornby factory is BR inspection saloon DB999509. Owned by Locomotive Services, it was transferred from Chesterfield at the beginning of December. Another development at the Margate site is the acquisition of a warehouse to house more items.
The latest Mk 1 to arrive for contract repairs at the West Somerset Railway is TSO 4923. Delivered to Williton from the Dean Forest Railway in early January, it is due to undergo a body lift, to allow the condition of the underframe to be ascertained, and a repaint from chocolate and cream into BR maroon. At the Foxfield Railway work is underway on BSK 34672 to convert the brake end into a bar area.
At the North Norfolk Railway, work is nearing completion on the extensive restoration of Mk 1 BCK 21224. During February an application of the BR carmine and cream livery was underway along with painting of the guard’s and luggage areas and a refitting of internal varnished panelling. Meanwhile at the Great Central Railway, the repainting of inspection saloon DB999503 into a fresh coat of BR maroon has been completed.