Special EventsNewAccess to the Railway Timetable Tel: 01825 720825You're on the Bluebell Railway web site
Click for Golden Arrow details Vistor Info What's New Shop Search the site FAQ Links Details for the enthusiast How you can join in or help us Contacts Navigate

British Railways
Standard Steam Stock (Mk.I)
No.5034 - Multi-purpose Saloon


5034 in service

W5034 was built as a Second Open (TSO) with Commonwealth cast bogies and dual (steam and electric) heating for the WR, ultimately being based at Old Oak Common for use on Intercity charter work. It was one of twelve coaches modified in 1989 to form the "Travelling College" train, which, it was intended, should carry parties of school-children around the country on educational tours. This coach was one of the dormitories, fitted with bunk beds. The venture was commercially unsuccessful, and the Bluebell subsequently bought all twelve vehicles.

It returned to passenger traffic on the Bluebell in 1998, following the construction of a completely new interior, as a multi-purpose vehicle. New ceilings were needed and these have been fitted with circular incandescent lighting units from an early TSO. Original TSO seating has been fitted in one half of the vehicle, and new double-doors with electric wheelchair lifts give access to an open saloon with loose seating at the other end. An orange stripe at the top of the bodyside was intended to indicate its special status, but this feature was found unnecessary and was dispensed with at a subsequent repaint.

5034 has proved enormously popular, and more than 1 in 10 of visiting groups make use of its facilities. At the start of 2004 the coach was turned round, so that the access doors are at the south end of the vehicle, considered more operationally convenient.

Adapted doorway of 5034 electric lift, stowed Doors open before lowering the lift Lift ready to be lowered to platform level The enlarged door opening in the partition, giving access to the saloon the half saloon with loose chairs, able to accommodate up to 12 wheelchairs, with conventional saloon seating beyond.
Built: as TSO (Tourist Open Second) diagram 89, 1962, at Wolverton (Lot 30690)
Seating: Originally 64 2nd class
Original No: W5034
Rebuilt: as Dormitory, 1989, at Cardiff
Renumbered: TCL 99165
Rebuilt: as Multi-purpose Saloon, 1998, at Horsted Keynes
Renumbered: 5034
Seating: 51 2nd class (fixed and loose seats) plus approximately 12 wheelchair spaces.
Body Length: 64' 6"
Weight: 35 Tons
Withdrawn: 1988 and 1992
Preserved: 1993
To Bluebell: 30/11/1993

splash
Return to Bluebell Home Page, or use "Back" to return to where you were
Carriages and Wagons - Intro - Stock Lists: Carriages & Wagons - Carriage Fleet Review
Valid HTML 3.2! Text © Copyright Richard Salmon and Martin Skrzetuszewski.
Photos © Copyright Richard Salmon and Chris Dadson.
Last updated by Richard Salmon, 8 November 2006
Disclaimer and credits.