Bulleid 4-DD Preservation

Thanks ghost, all corrected. I will look into a link to NIRT over the weekend, i had already looked at doing that but thought it did not bring any value, however i do take on board what you are saying. I did go to the NIRT many years ago and although closed on the day i visited i was shown around and also was given a cab ride on a 03.

Now does anyone know the date that 13004 moved from the Norhampton and Lamport Railway to the NIRT?

 

Does anyone have a copy of a photo of the H class hauling the 4-DD when at Ashford? This is needed for the website. Any photos used will retain your copyright and be credited to you or your collection.

Thank you.

 

Hello,
in the History section in 'in service' you have the same paragraph repeated.
Paragraph begins with"
The original intention......"
Also same paragraph ends the piece.


Nick

 

Wops, corrected. Thanks Nick.

Ian

 

I'd respectfully suggest taking advice from people who've actually obtained and installed curved toughened glass in a Bulleid coach rather than betting thousands of pounds on someone who thinks they could make some! Learn from others' mistakes and hard-won experience

Richard

 

Or if money is tight and the vehicle is not going to be a runner, get the windows drape moulded out of 6mm PETG plastic sheet. All you need is a hardboard covered former that is the shape of the internal curved surface and ten percent larger than the finished glazing panel (to allow for expansion when the sheet of plastic comes out of the kiln). More complex shapes can be produced from lays of MDF. These can be produced quite cheaply once the tooling is made.

After all it's good enough for Spitfires and my avatar

Sawdust.

 

Fair enough, although all the coaches I have worked over the last 32 years have ended up as runners. One thing we learnt is that there's no point in not doing the job properly if you want the coach to last once you've put so much effort into it. The first restoration I was involved with is still running 31 years on, with nothing more than light maintenance.

 

I don't disagree Richard but this project is not going to be cheap by a long shot if it comes off. I expect the curved glass you had produced was expensive.

1729 will be a runner too. In the end it was decided to use plastic as plastic had been used originally.

All my major projects are still running too, although I'll admit you have a few years head start on me!

Sawdust.

 

Fair enough, I hadn't realised the DD originally had plastic sidelights. I've a feeling Perspex was tried in a Bulleid coach in preservation. I think it must have been the pair of large lights in the corridor of one of the contractor built brakes, so either 4279 (Bluebell) or 4211 (Mid Hants).

 

Not the DD coaches as No 1729 is this one. http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=951

 

All your comments about the 4DD project are very useful. We are going over to the Kent site on Saturday with a small party of people.
We are meeting the owner and have full access to the unit, with the permission of the owner.
We have retired/ex railway workers with us and we should be able to get a good idea how she is.
There is only one piece of glass missing, which was broken by some travellers some years ago. Others are in the unit.
The body work from recent photo's is not too bad, considering.
We have been told by an ex engineer on the 4DD build, that, as the unit was a "test" project, the units were made to a high standard unlike mass produced units. The metal work is a lightweight steel alloy and was given "several coats of paint to make it shine above all the other units!"
Anyway, roll on Saturday and Watch This Space!
Mark

 

19th December 2015. A number of our group had a successful first visit to see 13003 at Sellinge. A meeting took place with the owner which was positive and may allow for more access in the future. Permission was given for the group to cover the unit (the covers have vents to allow the coach to breathe). Some photos on our webiste.

www.bulleid4dddoubledeck.co.uk

 

I am sure the 4DD did work on the Sidcup line.

In the late 1950s I regularly travelled from Bexley to Sidcup during the rush hour to go to school (usually with my father, who commuted on to London). On several occasions the train that turned up at Bexley was the double-decker - an object of considerable interest to a small boy.

So the 4DD units were also used on the “Dartford Loop” line as well as the Bexleyheath line; though I cannot recall the exact dates or how often I travelled on one.

I never used the Bexleyheath line so am quite sure the above is correct.

 

I believe the units were slightly taller than the other Southern EMU and station canopys were adjusted to suit, they were used on the Dartford Loop I had an uncle whos back garden ended at the line between Sidcup and New Eltham and I remember seeing the 4DD units usually in the rush hours.

 

The units were 4.5" higher (12ft 9") than standard stock. they did run along the coastal route to Brighton when on test, plus on the Brighton Mainline to Haywards Heath at least. There is also a photo of one at Guildford. But they were confined to the Three routes from Charing Cross to Dartford when in service.

 

Of the three main constituents of the Southern the LBSCR had the most generous loading gauge so Lancing - Brighton, Brighton - Victoria / London Bridge were not probably a problem. Just a thought but getting the units to the Eastern Section London Bridge is the obvious hand over point as the lines were linked at that point. When I were a lad there was service 01 which originated on the Central section and ran to Charring Cross. I have caught it from Forest Hill when it used the narrow platform between up and down main

 

Sorry for no posts been busy and a family crisis!
2016, will be a busy time, we're hoping to arrange a second visit to the Kent based 4DD in January, to talk more with the owner.
We also want to survey the unit further and try to list all within the unit and generally tidy up the inside.
I will with the permission of the owner, take a close look at the glass and see if I can take a mould.
Finally, Happy New Year to All!

 

Happy New Year!
Today 9th Jan, we held an informal meeting to talk about what's next!
Five members of the first group to visit the unit were present and Ian Ross who is our website and publicity man and interested about the 4DD.
We have made a date to visit the Kent based 4DD unit, this will be subject to the owner agreeing.
We are looking at getting a formal agreement done with the owner, so we can start setting up a group to manage the project.
When we have the agreement, we want to hold a general meeting and present what the group aims to do and setup membership details, i.e. membership forms.
In the mean time, we are keeping an eye on the cover each week, and if needed a small party to sort out any problem with it.
The next visit, hopefully we will be able to look at the unit in greater detail, and subject to the owner and storage on site, we hope to clean and tidy up the compartments.
Also to look at the missing glass, (how many are broken and missing) and sort out a temporary solution.
It's all moving forward and I hope to have more news soon.

 

Is "the owner" the owner of the site, the coach or both?

 

The owner of the coach