LCLR restoring ex-Nocton Estate ‘Queen Mary’ coach
LINCOLNSHIRE Coast Light Railway (LCLR) volunteers hope to complete restoration of the only ex-Nocton coach, known as the ‘Queen Mary’, in time for the new season. This will be the first time since circa 1969 the vehicle, built in 1926/27 to carry shooting parties on the Nocton Estate Light Railway (the ‘Queen Mary’ nickname was applied by estate workers), has served as a passenger vehicle.
After use as an office following closure of the Nocton line it was presented to LCLR, arriving at it’s original Humberston location during the winter of 1978/79. Although some work commenced it never entered service. Following closure of LCLR’s Humberston line it went into storage until the new
LCLR started to be developed at Skegness Water Leisure
Park. Although the coach has appeared on demonstration trains during special events at Skegness. no restoration work had been undertaken until recently.
Built on a First World War Department Light Railway Class D bogie wagon frame, the coach had sliding doors at each end accessed over the bogies with individual non-fixed seats inside. In addition to replacement of rotted woodwork, a new side entrance has been created and full seating made. It will serve as a semi-open (glazing will not be replaced in the windows) in a longer three-coach train formation required to cope with increasing passenger numbers.