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Southern Railway
Maunsell Nondescript Brake No. 4441


SR Maunsell Nondescript Brake 4441

Photo: Richard Salmon

The Maunsell restriction 1 (8'6" wide) "nondescript" or unclassed coaches were built for use on the South Eastern Section boat trains, and could be allocated for first, second or third class as required by the passenger complement of the ship for which the train was run. Internally they were fine vehicles, divided into three separate saloon areas, quite fit for first-class use. They also found use, as rather plush third-class accommodation, on special trains run for some of the many boarding schools within the SR's area at the start and end of term. Two of these splendid coaches are to be found, in working order, on the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

Nondescript Brake on incoming railtour - Ian Nolan - 1 April 1962

The railtour of 1 April 1962 which ran from London Bridge via Haywards Heath behind privately preserved GNR Saddle Tank No. 1247 included two Nondescript Brakes. It is seen here arriving back at Horsted Keynes behind our Adams Radial Tank (1247 is on the rear) after its trip down to Sheffield Park. (Photo with thanks to and © Ian Nolan)

No. 4441 is reasonably complete, in spite of having been used as a mobile office at Streatham Common. It was used on the Bluebell as a C&W stores coach, but is now in storage, awaiting possible eventual restoration. It had been thought that, due to damage sustained before arrival at Bluebell, it might have to exchange underframes with sister carriage No. 4444 which was in store here until 2021, but with the passage of time, and our increasing ability to repair underframes, that option was no longer considered necessary.

One possibility is that two saloons will be restored to original condition, with the third saloon being provided with a wide door opening from the guard's area and loose seating, giving wheelchair access.

Type: Nondescript Brake
Built: 1933 at Eastleigh (E708)
Original No: 4441
Other Nos: S4441S, 082444
Seating: 36 1st, 2nd or 3rd class as required
Length: 59'
Restriction: 1
Weight: 31 tons
Withdrawn: 1965
Preserved: 1973
To Bluebell: 10/10/1973

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