LMS Inspection Saloon Comes to Wirksworth

LMS (BR built) Inspection Saloon number 999504 has moved to Wirksworth on long term loan from it's home on the Great Central Railway. The vehicle does need a few minor repairs but will be good to go in the near future. It is hoped for this vehicle, along with the coach delivered last week to form part of the Duffield extension opening train.

This is the 3rd vehicle to be delivered in the space of a week!

www.e-v-r.com

 

Here is a photograph of it yesterday on the usual spot at The Hannages, just south of Wirksworth.

(Photo by Martin Miller)

 

It'd be nice if someone would put the vacuum-operated steps back on it... not holding my breath though!

 

How did they work then?

 

As I understand it they were able to be lowered and raised as required to enable the staff doing the inspecting to get on and off when they were up the line somewhere. But if you forgot to raise them and set off with them lowered, they were prone to hitting things and getting damaged - which is why 999504 now has fairly rudimentary fixed steps. I think 999503 (at the GCR) still has its original steps, though I doubt they'd be easy to replicate. To be honest I haven't looked too closely. As for how they worked from a technical perspective, sorry I haven't a clue. Maybe a carriage expert can enlighten us.

 

I now have visions of them connected to the vacuum system so that when you create the vac they pull in, when destroyed the slide out, only problem would be when making a partial application, you take out the lineside equipment

 

I remember seeing a vehicle very similar to this at Old Oak Common in 2007.

 

I suppose it would only respond to certain percentages of braking.

 

If they are like the Great Western versions, then they are lever operated (the levers look like lever reversers on locos) and when they are extended, it is like the communication cord being pulled - very difficult to create full vacuum. The steps are linked to the braking system but not vacuum operated.

BTW, why did both the LMS and GWR decide they needed/could justify building quite large numbers of inspection saloons in the austerity years just after the Second World War? And what did the Southern do for inspections? (The LNER continued to use mainly pre-Grouping vehicles)

Steven

 

The Southern used two as far as I'm able to work out, and both were pre-grouping:

An LSWR saloon of 1885, which origanaly had rasied 'caboose' like bits coming out of the roof (later removed). Given the number '1', which it bascily kept for the rest of its operational life, in 1946 it was given a new cassis (well, a reused slightly younger LSWR cassis from a withdrawn coach). Last used for driving training as part of the Kent Coast eletricfication, believed scraped 1963/1964. Info in G. R. Weddell's LSWR Carriages Vol 1

A really grand LB&SCR Saloon built 1914, but not toally finished until after the end of WWI. Numbered 60, SR 291S, BR Ds291. 12-wheeled, and bigger then anything else the LB&SCR built (stuck with the arc-roof after a brief use of the elpitical roof line), withdrawn 1965 and sold to the Bluebell Railway. Used 1965-1978, but she now awaiting an overhaul. Info from Bogie Carriages of the London Brighton & South Coast Railway by David Gould


...However there was one so called 'inspection saloon' built at Lancing in the post war period. Designed by Bulleid it was described as a inspection saloon, it was in fact a sleeping car for director use. Using speical smooth riding boiges (also designed by Bulleid,) it was a 'secret' coach as no photos were allowed to be taken of it (why?!?!?). It didn't see much use and was burnt in 1956. Info: Bulleid's SR Steam Passenger Stock by David Gould.

Both ex. LSWR and ex. LB&SCR saloons were replaced by an former 'rescriction 1' Corridor Composite which is now at the Rother Valley Railway in some disrepair after being simi-burnt in an arson attack.

Why is the GCR loaning out the coach, casue they already got alot of specal coaches?

 

I think it is that the management at our railway want one for private hire and of course, the big extension opening train next year and it is ideal to hold any VIPs that may come. It is a nice vehicle. Also it is important to note, that the vehicle is not owned by the GCR.

 

I don't know the answer to the question, but a clue may lie in the fact that it is only supposed to have been on loan to the GCR - so maybe the lenders decided to move it.

 

No, I gather that it is still under custody of the Loughborough Standard Loco Group, who have agreed to loan it to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway for a period. I suppose the presence of 999503 at the GCR means that 999504 can be spared for a while.

Phil

 

They're certainly an interesting kind of vehicle though, with the kitchen and large toilet area.

 

What is the intended stock for the reopening train and after? The aim is use ex. LMS carriages for services, or will the ex. Gatrick stock be used normally?

 

I think the intention is to use the older stock on service, with or without the Inspection Saloon (LMS or MkI's or combination). The Gatwick Express stuff may get some usage but none is planned at the moment.

 

Are the owners aware of this move, Dbschenka?:mmph:

 

As far as I know they are. It has all been done by the proper channels, although I personally have nothing to do with it.

 

Hello,
On mine (45028) the steps when down act on a switch which I believe connected to the vacuum brakes (bits missing on mine), there is also a large cylinder that might have something to do with it.
Bye,
Malcolm Humphries.

 

The steps are fixed on this one now.