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SR Maunsell Restaurant Car No. 7864 of 1932
Unique as the sole surviving SR catering vehicle, 7864 requires a complete rebuild. This coach entered the works in February 2024 as the first project properly under the auspices of the SR Coach Group after some preparatory work to strip asbestos from the vehicle. Between February and August 2024, all the external sheeting was stripped from the framework, the water tank was removed, the roof stripped of its boards and most of the roof hoops taken down. All six external doors were stripped down, and the first three repaired. Both gangway faceplates were taken down and the associated top plunger gear removed from the spaces above the vestibule ceilings, which were also taken down.
Between September 2024 and June 2025, the body frame was completely dismantled in sections. These sections are being repaired through the replacement of rotten or split pillars and rails with new material and the refurbishment of other pieces before being put into storage. This repair process is now 90% complete.
Outside the coach, some of the several tons of second hand teak previously obtained has been used to fashion replacement bottom side timbers for both sides and ends of the coach. A start has been made creating the new first-class dining seats and some surviving interior doors and other components have been restored.
You can see more on the coach's web page, on Dave Clarke's photos and Alex Morley's photos.
Bulleid Open Third No. 1482 of 1950
Overhauled 25 years ago, the late Roger Williams and his team had been undertaking an intermediate overhaul prior to his passing. This was done between periods of traffic demand for this useful open carriage. Three quarters of the windows had been removed, the frames repaired, and re-bedded. Along side this, a re-trim of the seats from BR "Candy-stripe" into a reproduction of the original Bulleid moquette has been taking place when the vehicle has been available for our trimmers to access the vehicle.
1482 entered the works at the start of April 2024. Tim Preston is leading a re-formed Bulleid Gang within SRCG, its first task being to complete this intermediate overhaul. The remaining windows have been re-bedded and the trimmers have completed their work. After a brief return to traffic in October 2024, 1482 is back in the works for its roof to be re-canvassed and the toilets recommissioned.
You can see more about this coach on its web page, and photos of the work undertaken over recent years in Dave Clarke's album.
SR Maunsell Composite Brake No. 6575 of 1929
One of the Bluebell's first two coaches, restored in 1981, and withdrawn from service due to a leaking roof in November 2000. It is seen here as repainted into Bluebell Blue to recreate the early days of the BRPS, for the 50th Anniversary in May 2010. It remains in good condition, although with some water damage to the interior, and some structural repairs required, particularly at the brake end.
We have started to overhaul the interior components of this carriage as a background task, but its full overhaul has yet to commence.
You can see more about this coach on its web page.
SECR Hundred Seater No. 971 of 1922
A start is being made on overhauling 971's doors as labour is available, to get ahead on this time-consuming part of any overhaul so that when space for it in the works opens up, the overhaul can be completed more quickly. The vehicle served the Southern Railway and BR for 40 years, and the Bluebell for 45, and in spite of receiving no major body overhaul in that time, remains in generally good structural condition. The body now requires similar repairs to that undertaken on 1098 about 30 years ago, where the bolts holding the knees in place have corroded and split the teak bottom-sides, but also a re-trim, floor, partition and roof repairs.
971 was taken out of service in 2007 ostensibly for the metal panels to be renewed, and it has remained partially stripped in that way since, as seen here. The railway considers the overhaul of this coach a high priority, so we hope space and resources can be allocated in the works to undertake the bodywork repairs starting in not too many years time. In the meantime, we have made a start on overhauling its doors. It will not principally be an SRCG project, but we will undoubtedly be involved.
You can see more about this coach on its web page.
Planned Projects
Once the intermediate overhaul of 1482 is completed, a major overhaul of one of our other Bulleid coaches is planned, with the work being funded through the legacy which Roger Williams left to the Bluebell Railway Trust for the purpose.
Former Projects
SR Maunsell Hastings-line Brake No. 3687 of 1931
After a long period as a low-priority back burner project led by David Wigley, this carriage entered the works in August 2019 and some of the team behind the SRCG then worked alongside David to bring this project to its conclusion. The body was essentially finished by early 2023, after which the bogies were overhauled during 2023 placed back under the coach. After a 10 month wait for time to be available in the jacking area, work restarted in September 2024 to complete the remaining tasks - largely below solebar. After work on the suspension, vacuum brake and steam heat systems, the coach entered traffic at the end of May 2025.
You can see more on the coach's web page, via Carriage News, on Dave Clarke's photos and Alex Morley's photos.
Last updated by Keith Leppard, 18 August 2025
