Metropolitan Railway Carriage Number 353

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15224445

 

Wow, i presume that grant will go a lot further than just restoring the carriage.

Chris

 

It is not the oldest surviving underground coach body, as there are several Mersey Railway coach bodies in Nottinghamshire. These date from 1885 & are similar in appearance.

Bob.

 

What this carriage *is* a unique survivor of, and which isn't mentioned in the BBC article, is as the sole surviving piece of rolling stock from the Weston, Celevedon and Portishead light railway - where it served between purchase from the Met in 1907, and closure of the railway in 1940, far longer than it was a Met carriage in fact. In fact, the carriage is the sole survivor of all of the carriages bought or use on any of the standard gauge light railways run by Colonel Stephens. Several of the modifications it recieved whilst in WC&P service are going to be removed as part of this restoration, such as the end doors.

 

Can you give any more information about these, please? I can't find them on the VCT register:confused1:

There's also the matter of this coach (http://www.kesr.org.uk/stock-register/coaching-stock/109-no-100.html), which may be older but her identity is uncertain. Nevertheless, it is clearly a vehicle with Underground heritage; wouldn't it be lovely to see her running with No. 353 when its restoration is complete?

 

There's some ex-Met rigid 8 wheelers on the duver at Bembridge - what a sight they would make restored, if only for the unusual wheel arrangement.

Chris

 

The Mersey Railway bodies are in 3 locations. One of the guys from Butterley C & W knows the locations. I dont know why they're not on the V.C.T. register.
I have a full builders spec. for these, plus the side elevation drawing for each type of coach. These were amended before the building work started, as the drawings show square topped doors , but they were built with round topped doors.

Bob.

 

It may be that the VCT isn't aware of them - you ought to get in touch! Wouldn't it be wonderful to restore them and run them, or at least display them, with Cecil Raikes...a man can dream!

 

Some of these 'Jubilee' coaches were used on the Mid Suffolk Light Railway, I'm sure they would be happy to give it a run!

Dave

 

thats our district coach, which we have had to withdraw from service recently because of problems with the condition of several door posts and the top rail i have heard it said, but cant conferm it, that the bits of the met coach being restored for LT that date from the WC&P, might be offered to our stephens museum whilst not on subject, the ashford 4 wheel brake that has just been restored is due to be launched on a special working alongside the other SECR 4 wheeler and the Saloon (if the wheels come back in time) for rememberance sunday , or saturday in connection with a steam dreams tour with coaches picking up from ashford but not with our p class as its out of ticket now