If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

L&BR Coach 16 next rebuild

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by lynbarn, Nov 9, 2012.

  1. lynbarn

    lynbarn Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2006
    Messages:
    1,482
    Likes Received:
    482
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Working in the NHS as a Maintenance Electrician
    Location:
    Kent
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    So it was announced that coach 16 will be the next L&BR heritage coach to get rebuilt, I can understand the reason why this has been chosen, as it will give the L&BR a second brake coach should Coach 17 need to come out of service for any reason.
     
  2. Crazy Train29

    Crazy Train29 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2012
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    Night Receptionist
    Location:
    Evesham
    not sure I agree with the choice of another brake coach. I thought the idea was to build either 10 or 11 which were both composites, so therefore for would provide more seating space? if 16 must be built, then surely it would be better to save it for the SR rake?
    furthermore, how much of 16 is left? I know there isnt much of 10 and 11, but im guessing there is even less of 16 if anything.
     
  3. Old Kent Biker

    Old Kent Biker Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Messages:
    858
    Likes Received:
    1,308
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    ex IT Consultant
    Location:
    Kent UK
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Why not? It's quite logical really, and has been arrived at after considerable thought:

    Bearing in mind that the Thorpe Park coaches cannot be run in the same train with the full-size stock (modern OR heritage). With coach 7 and 17 operating, if 7 fails, we can run just 17 with reduced capacity. if 17 fails, we can't run anything. With two brake vehicles, we have additional redundancy, plus we can provide more disabled accommodation. True, Van 23 could be made useable, but couldn't be used as passenger accommodation, and would therefore not give such a good return on investment. Other Heritage coaches will follow - possibly 10 or 14 next...
     
  4. paulhitch

    paulhitch Guest

    I hope

    1. There is enough money for this to be done at Boston Lodge where the standards are peerless.

    2. There is enough money to build a good quality shelter for, once having spent a lot of money on a splendid vehicle, it would be foolish for it to deteriorate in the rain.

    P.H.
     
  5. lynbarn

    lynbarn Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2006
    Messages:
    1,482
    Likes Received:
    482
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Working in the NHS as a Maintenance Electrician
    Location:
    Kent
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Hi Paul, yes I too like what Boston Lodge can turn out, however I think the L&BR East Group are just as capable of doing just as a grand job. I am one of those guys who does not like to put all his eggs in one basket.
     
  6. SpudUk

    SpudUk Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2009
    Messages:
    1,732
    Likes Received:
    593
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Project Manager
    Location:
    Wales
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I agree with Paul on the shelter front, where are the heritage coaches going to be stored?

    Excited about the heritage coaches, think they will necessitate another trip down to Devon. Part of me would have liked to see them in SR colours though.

    Regarding Van 23, what is happening there?
     
  7. Crazy Train29

    Crazy Train29 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2012
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    Night Receptionist
    Location:
    Evesham
    according to the latest SR mag, coach 16 is indeed going to be built under contract at Boston lodge. so maybe the guys at essex can work on another coach also. And I agree, i hope there are storage plans for the coaches.
    As for Van 23, no idea. last I heard it was awaiting new bogies i think. but that was a while back...
     
  8. Old Kent Biker

    Old Kent Biker Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Messages:
    858
    Likes Received:
    1,308
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    ex IT Consultant
    Location:
    Kent UK
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    There is quite a sizable rolling stock shed on the Lynton side of WB station. A while ago, this was extended in preparation for the storage of the Heritage Coaches, so they will be protected. Van 23 has had suitable bogies fitted, but is in need of couplings and brakes before it can be used. As it isn't currently in use, I'm not sure if grandfather rights would apply, and yes, there is a requirement not to rely on the current wooden underframe, so some modification will be needed. As a potentially low revenue earner, it isn't a high priority to bring it into service.
     
  9. SpudUk

    SpudUk Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2009
    Messages:
    1,732
    Likes Received:
    593
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Project Manager
    Location:
    Wales
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    That might be true, but Lyd, the two heritage coaches and Van 23 would look amazing!
     
  10. Axe

    Axe Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2008
    Messages:
    523
    Likes Received:
    85
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired (Electronics Engineer)
    Location:
    Epsom, Surrey.
    It's a strange arrangement.

    The contract to build coach 16 has been awarded to the Festiniog Railway who will build only the metal underframe and bogies, etc. The construction of the wooden body has been sub-contracted back by the Festiniog to the L&B Area Group based in Essex!

    Chris
     
  11. lynbarn

    lynbarn Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2006
    Messages:
    1,482
    Likes Received:
    482
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Working in the NHS as a Maintenance Electrician
    Location:
    Kent
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    This may have something to do with the Essex (now East Group) guys having turned out two fantastic coach bodies plus the fact that this one coach project has some grant money which may have required a named company to be the main contractor. The contractor could then turn to anyone as the sub contractor to get the job done, which in this case is the L&BR East Group...
     

Share This Page