PRESERVED ROLLING STOCK
■ With the auction of a variety of Llangollen Railway assets having concluded on May 12, some of the sold Mk 1 TSO coaches soon began to depart the line. By the end of the month, 4702 had moved to the Mid-norfolk, 4947 to the Epping Ongar and 4643 to the Paignton & Dartmouth, where all were due to receive a quick once-over and then be placed into service. The Llangollen Railway Trust was successful in retaining accessibility-modified 4858, but at a higher price than hoped, the bidding for the coaches being particularly keen. The new owners of the remaining eight coaches that were up for auction had still to be revealed by early June, but two further Mk 1 TSOS have also left the Llangollen, although these moves were unconnected to the sales. May 17 saw 4762 arrive back at the Foxfield Railway following a contract overhaul, while 3950 was delivered to Oswestry two days later after the end of a longterm loan from Cambrian Heritage Railways.
■ The recently expanded Project HST-P has been given the opportunity to purchase two further prototype Mk 3 coaches to join the already secured 42356. Currently in store at Ely Papworth, Angel Trains has made 42355 and 42357 available for sale and urgent fundraising is underway towards a total of £2,500. The two coaches were previously TS 42000 and TF 41002 respectively. Donations can be made via www.facebook.com/ donate/442389583643355
■ The last remaining Caledonian Sleeper Mk 3 at Long Marston, 10542, has secured a new home in preservation, moving to the West Somerset Railway in the first week of June. It is due to become volunteer accommodation at Bishops Lydeard once a suitable site has been identified. Also now in private hands is former LNER Mk 3 TRFB 40751, which was delivered to Cambrian Heritage Railways at Oswestry on May 18. The last Mk 3 to be stored at Gascoigne Wood, it is to become a static buffet at Weston Wharf station.
■ The first coaches from those offered for sale at the Dartmoor Railway were sent for scrap during the second week of May. , Mk 2e BSO 9501 and Mk 3 sleepers 10595 and 10611 were removed by road to Sims Metals at Newport Docks.
■ Following the fitting of retention tanks, SRPS main line railtour Mk 1s 3096, 3115, 4856 and 13229 were returned to Bo’ness from Carnforth on May 14 behind 37516. The move was not without incident after the Class 37 expired at Shap, with 47802 sent out to recover the train and work forward. Also included in the transfer was FK 13230, which was re-upholstered at Carnforth but not fitted with retention tanks. This coach subsequently departed Bo’ness by road at the end of May bound for the Strathspey Railway, where it is now on hire and being used to extend services.
■ Mk 1 Propelling Control Vehicle (PCV) 95301 departed from the Briddon workshops at Darley Dale in late May bound for temporary storage at the Stoke yard of Reid Freight Services. The Ewsliveried vehicle was acquired by Northumbria Rail just over a year ago but was recently offered for sale once again. The former Class 307 coach is being kept in the haulier’s yard while a transfer to a new owner is hopefully concluded.
■ At the Great Central Railway, the restoration of Mk 1 BCK 21202 by the Quorn Wagon & Wagon Group is proceeding rapidly. It was previously the breakdown train staff coach ADB977107, and the interior is being retained in this format for use by the group as a mess coach. Following bodywork repairs, an external repaint into BR blue/grey was well underway in mid-may.
■ Brcw-built Pullman Kitchen First 305 Aquila was moved from the South Devon Railway to the Bluebell on May 27. The 1951-built Pullman, that requires some restoration work, had arrived at Buckfastleigh in November 2019 following its private purchase from the Colne Valley Railway. Other road moves during May involved Mk 1 parcels stock, with CCT 94438 transferring from the Avon Valley Railway to the Somerset & Dorset Railway at Midsomer Norton, followed by GUV 93226 departing the Mid-norfolk for the Gwendraeth Valley Railway.