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The Bluebell Railway Trust

London & South Western Railway
34ft Family Saloon No. 25


Body recovered - East side - Chris Dadson - 18 October 2005

The carriage body on arrival at Horsted Keynes, 18 October 2005
(main photos: Chris Dadson)

Carriage layout

As can be seen from the diagram on the right, accommodation consisted of a first class saloon and separate compartment, lavatory, second-class compartment for servants, and a luggage compartment. It would have been hired for the exclusive use of a family for a specific journey, being added to the train as required.


Body recovered - West side - Chris Dadson - 18 October 2005
The carriage was one of six such 6-wheeled saloons, built with a low arc roof, as was the LSWR style of the time. However the roof style for new carriages changed radically just a few years later and, to keep such a prestigious carriage looking modern, at some time in the mid-1890's the roof was reconstructed in the new semi-elliptical form.

It was "ciphered" in June 1911 (i.e. removed from the capital stock register and, with a 0 preceding its old number, was kept in reserve for occasional use). In 1923, on the formation of the Southern Railway, it was renumbered as 0905 and then in May 1926 was returned to capital stock list as First No. 7937. It became part of set 339, together with mainly former SECR 6-wheelers, and used for excursions etc. At some stage it was converted for use as a brake vehicle (the Southern "Guard" lettering being visible on one of the luggage compartment doors), finally being withdrawn from service in April 1934.

Body recovered - East side - Chris Dadson - 18 October 2005
The Coaches, Yarcombe - 5 August 2005 After withdrawal, like many other such carriages, it was sold, without its underframe, for use as a domestic dwelling. It was delivered to Yarcombe, Devon, in the company of LCDR 3rd No. 3188, where it remained, lived in, until the death of its owner. Its new owners were keen to see the carriages preserved, and once planning permission was granted for a replacement building on the site both were made available to the Bluebell. The transport costs were kindly covered, at short notice, by the Bluebell Railway Trust, and the move was coordinated by Peter Milnes. The photo to the right, taken from the planning application for redevelopment, shows "The Coaches" as they were prior to demolition and removal to the Bluebell in 2005.

The vehicle is of considerable interest, being an unusually intact survivor in many respects. The sections of body-side removed should be fairly easy to replace, and most of the original doors have survived in remarkable condition. It retained to the end its large Beresford silver-plated folding hand-basin, which has now been removed for safe keeping.

The carriage body is stored under a tarpaulin at Horsted Keynes, sitting temporarily on the underframe of former SR Bulleid coach 4035.


Type: Originally 6-wheeled 1st/2nd saloon (diagram DB9), later Brake First (SR Diagram 594)
Built: Birmingham Carriage & Wagon Co., 1885
Original No: 25
Other Nos: 025 (June 1911), SR 0905 (1923), 7937 (May 1926)
Seating: Originally 15 1st class and seven 2nd class
Length: 34'
Withdrawn: 21 April 1934
Preserved: 2005
To Bluebell: 18 October 2005
Owner: Bluebell Railway Trust
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