IOWSR test run after 82yrs out of service

Thank you for the comments Paul most appreciated, although I might add that we have 3 coaches that if I had the budget we would be planning to reupholster all 3! Our passengers spend the majority of there time on the Railway inside any one of our coaches, so we have to present them all to a high standard. That is why everyone of the coaches that was in service today received either a revarnish or full repaint over the winter, the first one in September and the last out shopped in May. In September we will start the process again, hopefully the Changing Trains building will cut down the need to do every coach every year!

2403 is having all the tees crossed and eyes dotted, we want everything to be right!

 

It is the first day in passenger service for 2403, it was added to the set this morning. The bogie set now consists of 4 LBSCR coaches! The next restoration project LBSCR 3 compartment brake 3rd 4115 is progressing well with the body now on the underframe. Photos of 4115 on my Flickr site.

 

Well done Gary and The Team, particularly in overcoming the last minute obstacles. it certainly looks the part.

Nick

 

This is one of the very few railways where one can just turn up and expect to ride in something like this. Mostly it will be a very well worn Mk.1. No praise is too much for the IOWSR.

Paul H (who is not an IOWSR member)

 

It turned out to be a good day to put an extra coach into service as today was the railways best ever non event day. The extra 78 seats were well filled!

 

Had my first trip in 2403 today. An ideal, attractive, high capacity vehicle for short distance tourist railway use, which is an enormous credit to this relatively small setup. You could arrive at Haven Street in a train of four Brighton bogies hauled by "Calbourne" in early B.R. livery. Cross the platform and there is "Freshwater" heading six four wheelers, all in Maunsell green. Go and have a look sometime.

Why do tourist railways, mostly branch lines, find it so difficult to turn out a cohesive branch line train, yet alone two as here? There are other advantages as well as keeping enthusiasts happy. "The set only weighs sixty tons" said the guard of the four wheelers after a sprightly trip behind its diminutive motive power. One senses Stroudley, with his strong views about un-necessary weight, would nod his head at this.

Paul H.