The Bluebell Railway's Carriage Stock

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Carriage Stock List

(including other Passenger-Rated stock)

LCDR 3360 and 3188 - Richard Salmon - 18 June 2016 We have a large and diverse collection of rolling stock on the Bluebell Railway, built up over the years since we started in 1960. These include gems such as the Metropolitan Railway stock, which is the only close-coupled standard-gauge train in the country. We have four Pullman cars from the 1920s, an unrivalled collection of old LBSCR, SECR, LSWR and Southern Railway carriages, plus the unusual and unique 1913 built LNWR Observation Car and the venerable Great Northern Railway Directors’ Saloon.

Right: Restored London, Chatham & Dover Railway carriages Nos.3360 of 1889 and 3188 of 1897, seen on the evening of 3188’s re-launch into service, 18 June 2016. The carriage bodies had been used as bungalows from 1925 and 1935, and were rescued by the Bluebell in 2003 and 2005. They both now run on adapted SR van underframes. No.3360 was adapted to carry passengers in wheelchairs thanks to a “People’s Millions” grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

Two old London Brighton & South Coast Railway carriages have been restored to traffic after 68 and 80 years out of use, and another two are currently being restored. All four were recovered after more than half a century as dwellings, and have been mounted on suitably modified underframes.

Passenger rated stock is that which could be included in passenger trains. It includes luggage vans, carriage trucks, horse boxes, perishable produce vans and milk tankers.

The list shows vehicle number, type, (building date), and alternative numbers carried at various times in the vehicle’s history. Links from coach numbers are to photographs and full details of each vehicle.

Other documents provide an Introduction to the Carriages, a Review of the Carriage Fleet, and a Stock List of our Wagons.


Pre-GroupingSR MaunsellSR BulleidPullmanBRVans
Operational carriage stockCarriages under overhaulCarriages formerly based on the Bluebell


 

Pre-Grouping Carriages

London Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSCR)

Craven-era carriages:
35 4-compt Second (c1856) [dismantled body only]
94 Full Brake (c1858) [body and underframe]
38x/204 Quadrant-windowed 3-compt First (c1866) (Original No. 38x, 204 as 2nd) [dismantled body only]
221 Brake 2nd/3rd (1852 or 1859) (Original No. Unknown, 221 as Bk.3rd) [will be rebuilt after fire]
Stroudley Carriages:
328 4w Main-line Third (1890) [Under Restoration]
661 Main-line First (1880) (originally 6w, now 4w) (Suburban Brake 2nd 262 (1909), Brake 3rd 1648) [Operational]
676 4w Suburban Brake Third (1875) [body only]
725 4w Main-line Brake Third (1878) [dismantled body sections only]
949 4w Suburban Brake Third (1881) [Under Restoration]
992 4w Main-line Third (1880) [body only]
20th Century LBSCR carriages:
60 Directors’ Saloon (1913)
7598 First (1903) (LBSCR 142) [Operational]

London Chatham & Dover Railway (LCDR)

48 6-wheel Brake 2nd (1894) (Brake 3rd 2781, SR 3630 (1927))
114 4-wheel Brake 3rd (1889) (Brake 2nd 106, Brake 3rd 114 (1891), 548 (1899), 3068 (1903)) [Operational]
3188 28′ 3rd (1897) (LCDR 668, SECR 3188 (1907), Brake 3rd, SR 3652 (1926)) [Operational]
3360 4-wheel semi-saloon (1889) (built as Brake 2nd 51, Brake 3rd 285 (1897), SECR 3360 (1901)) [Operational]

South Eastern Railway (SER)

172 1st Saloon (1898) (later brake 1st) (SR 7874) [body only]
1050 Composite (later all 3rd) (1897/9, reconstructed by SR in 1924) (SER 568 and 792, SECR 1440, SR 5546)
18?? Brake 3rd (1877-8) (One of four, numbered 1887-90) [body only]
2159 6-compartment 3rd (1887) [body only]

South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR)

950 Birdcage 2nd Saloon Brake (later 3rd) (1907) (3582) [Not Bluebell stock; in private ownership]
971 “100 seater” 3rd (1923) (1434) [awaiting intermediate overhaul]
1061 Birdcage 3rd Brake (originally 2nd/3rd composite) (1909) (3334)
1098 “100 seater” 3rd (1922) (1416) [Operational]
1170 Birdcage 3rd Brake (1912) (3410)
1440 Composite (see 1050 under SER Carriages above) – probably for use as centre coach for Birdcage trio set
3363 Birdcage Lavatory 3rd Brake (originally 2nd/3rd composite) (1910) (SECR 1084, DS22) [Operational, but awaiting mechanical attention]

London & South Western Railway (LSWR)

25 34′ family saloon (1885) (SR 0905 and 7937)
320 Lavatory 3rd (1900, rebuilt and lengthened in 1935) (1228, 288)
494 Corridor 3rd (1911) (673)
1520 Lavatory Brake 3rd (1910) (2975) [Operational]

Metropolitan Railway

368 Composite (Built by Ashbury, 1898) (515, 9702) [Operational]
387 Brake 3rd (Built by Ashbury, 1898) (512, 2761) [Operational]
394 Full 3rd (Built by Ashbury, 1900) (518, 6702) [Operational]
412 Composite (Built by Cravens, 1900) (516, 9705) [Operational]

Great Northern Railway (GNR)

43909 Directors’ Saloon (1897) (706, 706E, 942090) [Operational] – see the Howlden Trust’s Web page

London & North Western Railway (LNWR)

1503 Observation Car (1913) (LMS 5316, 15843) [Operational]

Southern Railway Maunsell Carriages (1923-39)

(all are Restriction 4 (i.e. 9ft wide), unless stated otherwise)

1309 Open Third (1935) [Operational]
1336 “Drop-Light” Open Third (1933) [Operational]
1365 built 1927: Dining Third 7866, redesignated Open Third 1365, 1930, Ambulance 6802 in 1944 and Compo Diner 7841 in 1947
3687 Corridor Third Brake (Restriction 0, i.e. 8ft wide for Hastings line) (1931) [Under Restoration]
3724 Corridor Third Brake (1930)
4441 Nondescript Brake (could be used for 1st, 2nd or 3rd class as required) (Restriction 1) (1933)
5644 Corridor Composite (1930)
6575 Corridor Brake Composite (1929)
6686 Corridor Brake Composite (1935) [Operational]
7864 Restaurant Car (1932, rebuilt 1947 as Kitchen Buffet) – [Fundraising – under restoration]

Southern Railway designed Bulleid Carriages (1945-52)

1456 Open Third (1947) [Operational] – On long term loan to Mid Hants Railway
1464 Open Third (1950)
1481 Open Third (1950)
1482 Open Third (1950) [Operational]
2515 Saloon Third Brake* (1951)
2526 Saloon Third Brake* (1951) [Operational]
4227 Saloon Third Brake* with Coupé (i.e. half) compartment (1948)
4279 Saloon Third Brake* (1949)
5768 Corridor Composite (1947) [Operational]
* denotes “semi-open type”

 

Pullman

157 ‘Car No. 54’ Pullman Brake 3rd (1923) [Under overhaul]
175 ‘Fingall’ Pullman Kitchen 1st (1924) [Operational]
194 ‘Car No. 36’ Pullman Parlour Brake 3rd (1926) [Privately owned – Stored awaiting overhaul]
219 ‘Christine’ Pullman 3rd (formerly ‘Car No. 64’) (1928) [Operational]
307 ‘Carina’ Pullman Kitchen 1st (1951) – [SOLD]

British Railways Standard Steam Stock (Mk.I)

1674 RBR Restaurant-Buffet (Refurbished) (1961) [Operational]
1818 RMB Restaurant Miniature Buffet (1960) [Operational]
1838 RMB Restaurant Miniature Buffet (1959) [Under overhaul]
3064 FO Open First (1955) [Operational]
3069 FO Open First (1955) [Operational]
4754 SO Open Second (64 seats) (1957) (Bicester Military Railway WGP 8806) [Under overhaul]
4941 Saloon (formerly SO) (1962) [Operational, Converted to multi-use saloon with wheelchair lifts]
4957 SO Open Second (64 seats) (1962) [Operational]
5034 Saloon (formerly SO, then TCL 99165) (1962) Converted to multi-use saloon with wheelchair lifts [Under overhaul]
16012 CK Corridor Composite (1957) (7012, S16012) [Operational]
16210 CK Corridor Composite (1961) (7210) [Operational]
21246 BCK Brake Composite (1962) [Operational]
21271 BCK Brake Composite (1964) (ADB977109)
25728 SK Corridor 2nd (1961) (18728) [Operational]
34556 BSK Brake Corridor 3rd (later 2nd) (1955) [Operational]
35207 BSK Brake Corridor 2nd (1958) [Operational]

Ex-BR Carriages, now non-traffic vehicles:

10526 Mk3 SLEP – Staff Dormitory – Photo
10605 Mk3 SLEP – Staff Dormitory – Photo
10690 Mk3 SLEP – Staff Dormitory – Photo 1 and Photo 2
10693 Mk3 SLEP – Staff Dormitory – Photo
25871 Carriage Shop, (TCL 99161) Ex-Mk.1 SK (1962)

Diesel and Electric Multiple Unit Vehicles are now listed separately


Passenger Rated Vans

Pre-Grouping passenger-rated Vans

1 LCDR Horse Box (1882) (1002, SECR 184) [May be rebuilt after loss in fire]
153 SECR Passenger Luggage Van (PLV) (1922) (1994, DS70031) [Mess van for Oxted DEMU project]
270 LBSCR Milk/Fruit Van (1908) (2178, 1525S) [Restored but not yet operational]
719 SECR Birdcage Brake Van (1905) (616, 1601S)
5498 LSWR Ventilated Luggage Van (1920) (1584, DS1686)

Southern Railway Vans and other passenger rated stock

404 Van C (BY) (4-wheel Guard’s Brake Van) (1937) [Operational – filming support vehicle]
419 Van C (BY) (1937) (ADB 975548)
1184 PLV (4-wheel Passenger Luggage Van, later “PMV”) (1935)
1788 PLV (1942)
2186 PLV (1934)
2276 Van U (4 wheel Covered Carriage Truck, CCT) (1929)
2462 GBL (Gangwayed Bogie Luggage van) (body 1931, u/f 1910) [Art Gallery & Shop]
2531 4-w CCT (1955) [Operational]
4430 6-wheel glass-lined Milk Tank (1933) [Operational]
4601 Bogie Scenery Van (equipped for carrying circus elephants) (1949) [Children’s Play Carriage]
Further SR vans are also on site, and the bodies of some have already been removed.
These are providing underframes for the restoration of 19th century 4-wheeled carriages.

 

LMS & BR passenger-rated Vans

32975 LMS BGZ (6-wheel Gangwayed Guard’s Brake, Stove R) (1938) [Operational, Pullman livery]
87720 BR 12-Ton INSUL-FISH Insulated Fish Van (1960) (083402)
6334 BR BG – HST Barrier Vehicle (ex Gangwayed Full Brake 81478/92128) (1957)
81025 BR BG – Catering Support Vehicle (ex Gangwayed Full Brake 84025, 99783 ‘Valiant’, ‘Countess of York’) (1956) [under overhaul]
86722 BR bogie GUV – (Post Office NJV 93722) (1959)
94181 BR CCT (1959)

Coaching stock nominally available for service

* indicates carriages which will require major overhaul in next few years.

LBSCR: 661, 7598;                       LCDR: 114, 3188, 3360; 
GNR: Directors' Saloon (LNER 43909)     Metropolitan Railway: 387, 394, 368, 412;
SECR: 1098, 3363;                       LNWR: Observation Car 1503;
LSWR: 1520;                             LMS: Stove R 32975*; 
Pullman: 175 'Fingall', 219 Car No.64 ('Christine');
SR Maunsell: 1309*, 1336, 6686, BY 404, Milk Tanker 4430*;
SR Bulleid: 1464*, 1482, 2526, 5768;
BR: 1674, 1818, 3064*, 3069, 4824*, 4941, 4957*, 16012, 16210, 21246, 25728*, 
    34556, CCT 2531

Carriages undergoing major overhaul

LBSCR 949 – the restoration of this 1881-built brake third, rescued from a farmyard, is nearly complete.
LBSCR 328 – another grounded body under restoration, and like 949 now mounted on a rebuilt SR van underframe.
Pullman 157 “Car 54” – a major project, including the provision of wheelchair access to our Pullman train, this is a 1923-built Pullman Brake carriage.
SR Maunsell 3687 – a Hastings-line brake third, originally brought to the Bluebell to provide spare parts for other restorations, this became a restoration project in its own right. Now moving towards completion.
SR Maunsell Restaurant Car 7864 – Major rebuild and restoration to original condition commenced February 2024.
BR Mk.1 TSO 4754 – an early example of a Mk.1, this carriage came to the Bluebell from the Bicester Military Railway, and is having a thorough overhaul before it enters service.
BR Mk.1 BG 81025 – Structural overhaul and interior being fitted out as a catering support vehicle.
BR Mk.1 Saloon 5034 – End-structure overhaul complete, now receiving internal refurbishment, and door and window overhaul.
BR Mk.1 RMB 1838 – End-structure overhaul undertaken by external contractors.Awaiting re-commissioning at Bluebell.

Carriages currently receiving heavy maintenance

LBSCR Van 270 – following restoration of its bodywork, and the replacement of its wheelsets, a redesign of its brake gear has been necessary, and the work on the brake gear is now underway to make the van operational.

Carriages currently undergoing light overhaul/maintenance

Bulleid Open 3rd 1482 Intermediate bodyside overhaul, and re-trim of seating in progress, whilst returned to service for peak periods.
LBSCR 661: receiving mechanical attention.
The four Metropolitan Railway carriages are receiving new door locks and repairs to teak panels.


The Carriage Exhibition at Horsted Keynes is well worth a visit, and includes a viewing gallery in the carriage works, at the south end of platform 5. Donations collected are now being put towards the eventual overhaul of the SR Maunsell Restaurant car No.7864, and the provision of more urgently needed overhead cover for our carriage stock.On Platform 1 at Horsted Keynes, the Carriage Shop sells various items, including a large range of books, to raise funds for carriage restoration.

Much of the carriage restoration done at Horsted Keynes is undertaken by volunteers. As the above lists show, there is a long line of carriages awaiting our attention. Why not come and join us; drop in for a look around the shed and see what we do! There is all sorts of work available, skilled and unskilled. Learn new skills, or brush up on those you’ve forgotten. There are people around every day. Join the Carriage Restorers and be part of an award winning department! 1309, Pullman ‘Bertha’ (no longer on the Bluebell) and the completed Metropolitan Set have been overall winners of the Heritage Railway Association (HRA) C&W competition, 3363, 32975 and 7598 have won HRA “Coach of the year” awards, and 387, 114, 661, 7598 and 1520 have received other prestigious prizes and awards.


Carriages and Vans which are no longer at the Bluebell Railway:

Caledonian Railway: TK 3339
LNWR: Semi-Royal Saloon 806
SER: Body of Drawing Room Car 33 (later Pullman Car “Constance”)

Southern Railway: Maunsell TK 2356, TPO (POS) 4922, Maunsell UCB 4444, 4 Cor DMBT 11201, Van C (BY) 442, Van C (BY) 653

Pullman Cars: 229 Car 76 (‘Lilian’), 278 6 Pul Kitchen Composite ‘Bertha’, 282 “Brighton Belle” Kitchen 1st ‘Doris’, 305 1951 Kitchen 1st ‘Aquila’, 311 Met-Cam Kitchen 1st ‘Eagle’
Compagnie Internationale de Wagons-Lits: Night Ferry Wagons-Lits 3801

London, Midland & Scottish Railway: TK 1272, 1st Sleeper 398, 3rd Sleeper 603, 3rd Sleeper 623

British Railways: Mk.I RKB 1566photo, Mk.I RU(B) 1987, Mk.I FO 3042, Mk.I FO 3116, Mk.I 48-seat SO 4824, Mk.2c FK 13540, Mk.I CK 16263, Mk.I SK 18752, Mk.I SK 24458, Mk.I SK 25769, Mk.I BSK 35448, Mk.I BSK 35207, Mk.I CL 43010, Mk.I BS 43172, Mk.I SLO 48015 and “Monster” CCT W600W.

Southern Railway “Matchboard” Brake No.3554 was loaned to the Bluebell by the Vintage Carriages Trust, 1991-93. Photos: at Sheffield Park, Dec 1991 and approaching Horsted Keynes, Sept 1993

Ex-Travelling College train – 12 Mk.1 carriages were purchased in late 1993. Five remain on the Bluebell. The following, which had been converted to dormitories were immediately sold-on: SK 25795, SK 25856 and SK 25994. Subsequently TSO 4921, SK 25853, BCK 21238, the “New Century Lounge” SK 25778, and SK 25776, were also sold for use elsewhere.

Five former “Queen of Scots” Sleeping Cars were hired for use on the Bluebell for a few years from 1992: BR Mk.1 Sleeper First 2110 “State Car No.85”, BR Mk.1 SK 26208 “Imperial State Car No.84”, BR Mk.1 Sleeper First 2108 “State Car No.83” and BR Mk.1 SK 26169 “Imperial State Car No.82”, which all left again after just a few years use.
Mk.I SLC 2442 (QoS No.88, “Service Car No.2”) was purchased by the Bluebell, and was used as a staff dormitory for nearly 30 years. It was sold at the end of 2022.

Former SLOA (later FSS) set BN 91 carriages, which were on hire to the Bluebell from April 1990 for a year, were: BCK 120 (Sc21236) and FOs 125 Eileen (M3115), 127 Carol (M3117), 128 Beryl (M3130) and 358 (M3108), in addition to 3116 (listed above).

A rake of carriages was hired in 1963 to cover for the Chesham Set being sent to Neasden for the centenary of the Metropolitan Railway. These were Bulleid Brake Composite S6714S, Mk.1 TSO S4381, Bulleid Open Third S1495S, Bulleid Open Third S1473S, Mk.1 TSO S4014 and Mk.1 48-seat Open Second (later reclassified as Open First) S3504. None of these vehicles entered preservation. S3504 was used to supplement the Sheffield Park Buffet seating prior to the arrival of Maunsell 1365.

Arriving on the Bluebell on 24 February 1963 along with another SECR “Hundred Seater” (No. 971) was No. S1070S of a very slightly earlier design with some timber (rather than all-steel) panelling. Because it had broken windows, it was returned to BR, and replaced by another similar carriage in May that year. It is seen at Sheffield Park in Ian Nolan’s photo.

Maunsell low-window corridor 3rd No. S2354S was borrowed from BR for a Civil Defence exercise on 8 April 1962, as seen the previous week in Ian Nolan’s photo.


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Copyright © 7 October 1995, and subsequent updates.
Last update 5 February 2024 by Richard Salmon.