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Mystery Coach Body

Discussion in 'Heritage Rolling Stock' started by GeoffS75, Feb 16, 2012.

  1. GeoffS75

    GeoffS75 Member

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    Whilst working near Fraserburgh I spotted this slightly unloved coach body going to ruin in a field. I would guess it is beyond rescue, but out of curiosity can anyone identify what it once was please? It appears to be a compartment coach possibly LNER/BR?

    Thanks!
     

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  2. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    An LNER Thompson sub?
     
  3. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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  4. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

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    When I first visited that body it looked as though it could have been lifted on a chassis and put into service, but that's what 15 years of neglect does. A lot of fittings have been saved from it though.
     
  5. GeoffS75

    GeoffS75 Member

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    Thanks for all the replies and the link (I knew NatPres would know!).
     
  6. daveannjon

    daveannjon Well-Known Member

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    Sadly the number of surviving coach bodies sold off by Inverurie Works must decreasing year on year as bad weather takes its toll and new farm owners don't want them. At least they have provided spares for many projects after several 'carriage hunts' by both the LNERCA and LMSCA.
    On one visit we found what looked like a cattle wagons but were in fact convict vans from Peterhead Prison! They were used on a railway built to a local quarry where the prison inmates provided the 'hard labour'.

    con2.jpg

    con1.jpg

    Cheers
    Dave
     
  7. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    Looks like the quality of stock provided on some railtours these days! They have two things in common, no lighting or heat.
     
  8. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Something like that deserves preservation I would have thought.
     
  9. daveannjon

    daveannjon Well-Known Member

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    We heard that a third convict van (of 8 built) was being restored at the prison as a training project, but I've no idea if it actually came to fruition. We saw the two vans in 2003 so it's quite possible they might not be around now.

    Dave
     
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  10. MuzTrem

    MuzTrem Member

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  11. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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  12. StoneRoad

    StoneRoad Member

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    Martin,

    I believe that there are plans afoot for work on the van, it was moved to Maud Junction earlier this year. As the building it was in has now been demolished.

    PM / email me if you want some more info.....

    StoneRoad
     
  13. timmydunn

    timmydunn Member

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    This looks like a great project. A type of wagon that I had no idea existed - this is something a bit special.

    Here's a link to the group now restoring it.

    Project List
     
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  14. GeoffS75

    GeoffS75 Member

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    Evening!

    I'm back in the Fraserburgh area on business again today and on the way to the hotel noted the LNER carriage body (no.3362) mentioned in my original post has gone - the old farm they were on appears to be in the middle of being re-developed. Anyone know if it has completely gone or was anything saved?

    Thanks!
     
  15. StoneRoad

    StoneRoad Member

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    Bump ..............

    I said this back in September 2012.

    The convict van is now at in Haltwhistle, for restoration, as part of the "Rocks, Rogues, Rails and Refuge - the story of Peterhead's Harbour, Convicts and Government Railway" project. This has received a substantial HLF grant, but I am sure that The Friends of Maud Railway Museum will accept donations towards match funding, and their other projects........

    Some images, and more details of the restorations are here :
    http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/album/620941?with=31187437
    This will be updated as work progresses........

    ETA - If anyone has images of the convict van, especially of the floor / interior and the same area on the outside, I would really appreciate making contact, Thanks
     

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