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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. Over the rest of 2025, the rest of these frame sections have been repaired through the replacement of rotten or split pillars and rails with new material and the refurbishment of other pieces and these sections are now in storage. Since the project began, 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, and replacement cantrails for both sides; this was finished in early 2026. Lastly, after the old floor was removed, a new set of floor framework members was made Sep-Dec 2025: these are the structural timbers that cross between the bottom sides and support the partitions etc. All of these are also now in store.
Between September 2025 and February 2026, the underframe was stripped of all components, grit-blasted and painted, and the buffing gear and vacuum reservoirs re-furbished and re-fitted. Both battery boxes were also repaired and repainted, ready to re-fit. As of May 2026, the steelwork is currently receiving some repairs before it returns to the main works so we can begin to reassemble the floor and body.
The coach needs a new interior. A start has been made creating the new first-class dining seats, some surviving interior doors and other components have been restored. Recently, two new sliding doors have been made from reclaimed mahogany.
You can see more on the coach's web page, on Dave Clarke's photos and Alex Morley's photos.
SECR Hundred Seater No. 971 of 1922
971 was taken out of service in 2007 ostensibly for the metal panels to be renewed but after some work was done it was laid aside and put into store. 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, the body remains in very good structural condition apart from splits in the teak bottom sides where the bolts holding the knees in place have corroded. After some preliminary work to re-start the project was done during 2025 while still nominally in storage, 971 entered the works for a major overhaul in February 2026. Prior to that, ten of 971's door carcasses had already been repaired to get ahead on this time-consuming part the overhaul.
Since February 2026, the old floor has been removed and discarded and 20% of the new floor panels made and painted up. Half of the bottom side repairs have been completed and about half the screw holes in the exposed body frame have been plugged. Inside, 7 of the 10 compartments have been fully stripped of the varnished woodwork and the paintwork in four of them has been prepared for repainting. Varnish work for two compartments has been completed ready to put back. In due course, the coach will get a re-trim, replacement of missing/corroded body panels and a full repaint.
You can see more about this coach on its web page.
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.
Planned Projects
We are now beginning the planning for a major overhaul of one of our out-of-traffic Bulleid coaches, 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.
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 for completion of its intermediate overhaul. The remaining windows were re-bedded and the trimmers completed their work. The gangways also received attention. After a brief return to traffic in October 2024, the coach returned to the works for its roof to be re-canvassed and for a full repaint. It returned to traffic in October 2026.
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.
Last updated by Keith Leppard, 19 May 2026
