---

London Midland & Scottish Railway
32975 - Stove R (6-wheel Gangwayed Guard's Brake, BGZ) built in 1938
Richard Salmon

This design of van followed the LMS coaching stock outline, and could not be more different from the Southern Railway design. It is carried on six-wheels, and has gangway connectors. However, as far as the guard was concerned, the interior was rather more spartan than the SR design, which had a padded chair for the guard in a separate compartment. It came to the Bluebell via a scrap-yard in Chesterfield, being bought by individuals in the Locomotive Department.

It was restored over a decade, involving repairs to the wooden structure, complete replacement of the external steel sheeting, including that on the roof, the re-instatement of the gangway connectors which had been removed during its time on BR, electrical re-wiring and complete overhaul of the interior components.

It was judged to be the winning "Carriage" in the Heritage Railway Association's 1996/7 Carriage & Wagon competition, becoming our third outright winner in 12 years. The above photo of its interior formed part of the competition entry submission.