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Southern Railway - Bulleid 4227 Semi-Open Brake Third (built in 1948)

No.4227 when used as a store at Bristol Docks, 23/8/85
Jeremy Ovenden

This coach was built to a Southern Railway design by Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Co. It is unusual in its "semi-open" seating arrangement, having 8 seats in a compartment, another 4 in a "coupé", or half-compartment, and 32 in an open saloon.

Initially used out of Waterloo in three-coach set No.804, from September 1948 it was on London to Dover, Ramsgate and Margate services, including the named 4.15 from Charing Cross, "The Man of Kent". In 1954 set 804 was expanded to become an 8-vehicle set, No.474, remaining on London-Chatham-Ramsgate services until electrification in 1959, ending up, in 1964 on a regular Bournemouth-Sheffield service.

It was transferred to the Western region in January 1965, running in the West Country until, in 1966, it was withdrawn and converted into a cinema coach. Sold initially to a maritime preservation group at Bristol Harbour for use as a store, a swap with a full brake was arranged to enable this interesting coach to come to the Bluebell, where it awaits eventual restoration.