Rare carriages up for grabs in Bluebell stock clear-out
ATRIO OF LMS sleeping cars, a unique Maunsell brake coach and a rare Southern Railway Post Office Sorting Car are among several vehicles up for disposal at the Bluebell Railway.
Following a review of the railway’s rolling stock, which numbers some 175 vehicles, the Bluebell Railway plc and preservation society have decided that “a small number of vehicles should be offered new homes”, adding that “the requirement to clear some siding space may result in some being scrapped if no homes can be found.”
Among the carriages being disposed of is ex-Southern Railway Maunsell brake third No. 3724. Currently a stripped-out shell, the 1930-built vehicle is the sole surviving Maunsell four-compartment ‘long brake’. Another unique Maunsell vehicle up for sale is Corridor Third
No. 2356, which is the only preserved steam-hauled Southern Railway Corridor Third. Obtained for use as a mess vehicle “it is now in a very dilapidated condition”.
Also being disposed of are LMS sleeper first No. 398 and Sleeper Thirds Nos. 603 and 623. Used as volunteer
A SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLES SHOULD BE OFFERED NEW HOMES
accommodation, “all three are now out of use. Owing to the likely cost of stripping asbestos from these vehicles, there is no expectation of realising any value from their sale, but they have substantially original intact interiors. We are interested in talking to anyone interested in acquiring any of these for a nominal sum,” the railway said.
1939-built Southern Railway Post Office Sorting Car No. 4922 – the last type of Southern coach to be built in the Maunsell style – is also up for disposal. Despite being restored in 1980, it has not been used since 1984 and its structure is “noticeably decaying”.
Other vehicles in the disposal list include a 24ft ex-LSWR van underframe once used as a cinema coach generator van, a Compagnie Internationale de Wagons-Lits ‘Night Ferry’ sleeping car, and a BR Mk 1 sleeping car.
Interested parties are invited to contact Richard Salmon via blog@bluebell-railway.com “Priority will be given in the first instance to offers received from within the heritage railway movement, for items with heritage/preservation value”, and advice, as well as a list of potential transport firms, can be provided.