Divider

Pre-Grouping Carriages

London Brighton & South Coast Railway (LB&SCR)

Craven-era carriages:
35
4-compt Second (c1856) [dismantled body only]
More info
94
Full Brake (c1858) [body and underframe]
More info
38x/204
Quadrant-windowed 3-compt First (c1866) (Original No. 38x, 204 as 2nd) [dismantled body only]
More info
221
Brake 2nd/3rd (1852 or 1859) (Original No. Unknown, 221 as Bk.3rd) [will be rebuilt after fire]
More info
Stroudley carriages:
328
4w Main-line Third (1890) [Under Restoration]
More info
661
Main-line First (1880) (originally 6w, now 4w) (Suburban Brake 2nd 262 (1909), Brake 3rd 1648) [Operational]
More info
676
4w Suburban Brake Third (1875) [body only]
More info
725
4w Main-line Brake Third (1878) [dismantled body sections only]
More info
949
4w Suburban Brake Third (1881) [Under Restoration]
More info
992
4w Main-line Third (1880) [body only]
More info
20th Century LB&SCR carriages:
60
Directors’ Saloon (1913)
More info
7598
First (1903) (LBSCR 142) [Operational]
More info

London Chatham & Dover Railway (LC&DR)

48
6-wheel Brake 2nd (1894) (Brake 3rd 2781, SR 3630 (1927))
More info
114
4-wheel Brake 3rd (1889) (Brake 2nd 106, Brake 3rd 114 (1891), 548 (1899), 3068 (1903)) [Operational]
More info
3188
28′ 3rd (1897) (LCDR 668, SECR 3188 (1907), Brake 3rd, SR 3652 (1926)) [Operational]
More info
3360
4-wheel semi-saloon (1889) (built as Brake 2nd 51, Brake 3rd 285 (1897), SECR 3360 (1901)) [Operational]
More info

South Eastern Railway (SER)

172
1st Saloon (1898) (later brake 1st) (SR 7874) [body only]
More info
1050
Composite (later all 3rd) (1897/9, reconstructed by SR in 1924) (SER 568 and 792, SECR 1440, SR 5546)
More info
18??
Brake 3rd (1877-8) (One of four, numbered 1887-90) [body only]
More info
2159
6-compartment 3rd (1887) [body only]
More info

South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SE&CR)

950
Birdcage 2nd Saloon Brake (later 3rd) (1907) (3582) [Not Bluebell stock; in private ownership]
More info
971
“100 seater” 3rd (1923) (1434) [awaiting intermediate overhaul]
More info
1061
Birdcage 3rd Brake (originally 2nd/3rd composite) (1909) (3334)
More info
1098
“100 seater” 3rd (1922) (1416) [Operational]
More info
1170
Birdcage 3rd Brake (1912) (3410)
More info
1440
Composite (see 1050 under SER Carriages above) – probably for use as centre coach for Birdcage trio set
More info
3363
Birdcage Lavatory 3rd Brake (originally 2nd/3rd composite) (1910) (SECR 1084, DS22) [Operational, but awaiting mechanical attention]
More info

London & South Western Railway (L&SWR)

25
34′ family saloon (1885) (SR 0905 and 7937)
More info
320
Lavatory 3rd (1900, rebuilt and lengthened in 1935) (1228, 288)
More info
494
Corridor 3rd (1911) (673)
More info
1520
Lavatory Brake 3rd (1910) (2975) [Operational]
More info

Metropolitan Railway

368
Composite (Built by Ashbury, 1898) (515, 9702) [Operational]
More info
387
Brake 3rd (Built by Ashbury, 1898) (512, 2761) [Operational]
More info
394
Full 3rd (Built by Ashbury, 1900) (518, 6702) [Operational]
More info
412
Composite (Built by Cravens, 1900) (516, 9705) [Operational]
More info

Great Northern Railway (GNR)

43909
Directors’ Saloon (1897) (706, 706E, 942090) [Operational]
More info

London & North Western Railway (LNWR)

1503
Observation Car (1913) (LMS 5316, 15843) [Operational]
More info

Southern Railway Maunsell Carriages (1923-39)

(all are Restriction 4 (i.e. 9ft wide), unless stated otherwise)

1309
Open Third (1935) [Operational]
More info
1336
“Drop-Light” Open Third (1933) [Operational]
More info
1365
Built 1927: Dining Third 7866, redesignated Open Third 1365, 1930, Ambulance 6802 in 1944 and Compo Diner 7841 in 1947
More info
3687
Corridor Third Brake (Restriction 0, i.e. 8ft wide for Hastings line) (1931) [Under Restoration]
More info
3724
Corridor Third Brake (1930)
More info
4441
Nondescript Brake (could be used for 1st, 2nd or 3rd class as required) (Restriction 1) (1933)
More info
5644
Corridor Composite (1930)
More info
6575
Corridor Brake Composite (1929)
More info
6686
Corridor Brake Composite (1935) [Operational]
More info
7864
Restaurant Car (1932, rebuilt 1947 as Kitchen Buffet) [Fundraising – under restoration]
More info

Southern Railway designed Bulleid Carriages (1945-52)

1456
Open Third (1947) [Operational] – On long term loan to Mid Hants Railway
More info
1464
Open Third (1950) [awaiting overhaul]
More info
1481
Open Third (1950)
More info
1482
Open Third (1950) [Operational]
More info
2515
Saloon Third Brake* (1951)
More info
2526
Saloon Third Brake* (1951) [Operational]
More info
4227
Saloon Third Brake* with Coupé (i.e. half) compartment (1948)
More info
4279
Saloon Third Brake* (1949)
More info
5768
Corridor Composite (1947) [Operational]
More info

* denotes “semi-open type”

Pullman

157
‘Car No. 54' - Pullman Brake 3rd (1923) [Operational]
More info
175
‘Fingall’ - Pullman Kitchen 1st (1924) [Operational]
More info
194
‘Car No. 36’ - Pullman Parlour Brake 3rd (1926) [Privately owned – Stored awaiting overhaul]
More info
219
‘Christine’ - Pullman 3rd (formerly ‘Car No. 64’) (1928) [Operational]
More info

British Railways Standard Steam Stock (Mk.I)

1674
RBR - Restaurant-Buffet (Refurbished) (1961) [Awaiting overhaul]
More info
1818
RMB - Restaurant Miniature Buffet (1960) [Operational]
More info
1838
RMB - Restaurant Miniature Buffet (1959) [Under overhaul]
More info
3064
FO- Open First (1955) [Operational]
More info
3069
FO - Open First (1955) [Operational]
More info
4754
SO - Open Second (64 seats) (1957) (Bicester Military Railway WGP 8806) [Operational]
More info
4941
Saloon - (formerly SO) (1962) [Operational, Converted to multi-use saloon with wheelchair lifts]
More info
4957
SO - Open Second (64 seats) (1962) [Operational]
More info
5034
Saloon - (formerly SO) (1962) [Converted to multi-use saloon with wheelchair lifts, Under overhaul]
More info
16012
CK - Corridor Composite (1957) (7012, S16012) [Operational]
More info
16210
CK - Corridor Composite (1961) (7210) [Operational]
More info
21246
BCK - Brake Composite (1962) [Operational]
More info
21271
BCK - Brake Composite (1964) (ADB977109)
More info
25728
SK - Corridor 2nd (1961) (18728) [Operational]
More info
34556
BSK - Brake Corridor 3rd (later 2nd) (1955) [Operational]
More info
35207
BSK - Brake Corridor 2nd (1958) [Operational]
More info

Ex-BR Carriages (now non-traffic vehicles)

10526
Mk3 SLEP – Staff Dormitory at Sheffield Park
More info
10605
Mk3 SLEP – Staff Dormitory at Horsted Keynes
More info
10690
Mk3 SLEP – Staff Dormitory at Sheffield Park
More info
10693
Mk3 SLEP – Staff Dormitory at Sheffield Park
More info
25871
Former Carriage Shop, (TCL 99161) Ex-Mk.I SK (1962)
More info
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Coaching stock nominally available for service

  • LB&SCR: 661, 7598
  • GNR: Directors’ Saloon (LNER 43909)
  • SE&CR: 1098, 3363
  • L&SWR: 1520
  • LC&DR: 114, 3188, 3360
  • Metropolitan Railway: 387, 394, 368, 412
  • L&NWR: Observation Car 1503
  • LMS: Stove R 32975*
  • Pullman: 157 ‘Car No. 54’, 175 ‘Fingall’, 219 ‘Car No. 64’ (‘Christine’)
  • SR Maunsell: 1309*, 1336, 6686, BY 404, Milk Tanker 4430*
  • SR Bulleid: 1482, 2526, 5768
  • BR: 1818, 3064*, 3069, 4754, 4941, 4957*, 16012, 16210, 21246, 25728*, 34556, CCT 2531

* indicates carriages which will require major overhaul in next few years.

Carriages undergoing major overhaul

  • LB&SCR 949 – the restoration of this 1881-built brake third, rescued from a farmyard, is nearly complete.
  • LB&SCR 328 – another grounded body under restoration, and like 949 now mounted on a rebuilt SR van underframe.
  • SR Maunsell 3687 – a Hastings-line brake third, originally brought to the Bluebell to provide spare parts for other restorations, this became a restoration project in its own right. Now moving towards completion.
  • SR Maunsell Restaurant Car 7864 – Major rebuild and restoration to original condition commenced February 2024.
  • BR Mk.I RBR 1674 – Some structural repairs and rewiring.
  • BR Mk.I BG 81025 – Structural overhaul and interior being fitted out as a catering support vehicle.
  • BR Mk.I Saloon 5034 – End-structure overhaul complete, now receiving internal refurbishment, and door and window overhaul.
  • BR Mk.I RMB 1838 – End-structure overhaul undertaken by external contractors. Awaiting re-commissioning at Bluebell.

Carriages currently receiving heavy maintenance

LB&SCR Van 270 – following restoration of its bodywork, and the replacement of its wheelsets, a redesign of its brake gear has been necessary, and the work on the brake gear is now underway to make the van operational.

Carriages currently undergoing light overhaul/maintenance

  • Bulleid Open 3rd 1482 Intermediate bodyside overhaul, and re-trim of seating now completed, whilst returned to service for peak periods. Toilets being reinstated, and roof repairs in hand.

Carriages which are no longer at the Bluebell Railway

Caledonian Railway: TK 3339

L&NWR: Semi-Royal Saloon 806

SER: Body of Drawing Room Car 33 (later Pullman Car “Constance”)

Southern Railway: Maunsell TK 2356, TPO (POS) 4922, Maunsell UCB 4444, 4 Cor DMBT 11201

Pullman Cars: 229 Car 76 (‘Lilian’), 278 6 Pul Kitchen Composite ‘Bertha’, 282 “Brighton Belle” Kitchen 1st ‘Doris’, 305 1951 Kitchen 1st ‘Aquila’, 307 1951 Kitchen 1st ‘Carina’, 311 Met-Cam Kitchen 1st ‘Eagle’
Compagnie Internationale de Wagons-Lits: Night Ferry Wagons-Lits 3801

London, Midland & Scottish Railway: TK 1272, 1st Sleeper 398, 3rd Sleeper 603, 3rd Sleeper 623

British Railways: Mk.I RKB 1566 – photo, Mk.I RU(B) 1987, Mk.I FO 3042, Mk.I FO 3116, Mk.I 48-seat SO 4824, Mk.2c FK 13540, Mk.I CK 16263, Mk.I SK 18752, Mk.I SK 24458, Mk.I SK 25769, Mk.I BSK 35448, Mk.I BSK 35207, Mk.I CL 43010, Mk.I BS 43172, Mk.I SLO 48015

Southern Railway “Matchboard” Brake No.3554 was loaned to the Bluebell by the Vintage Carriages Trust, 1991-93. Photos: at Sheffield Park, Dec 1991 and approaching Horsted Keynes, Sept 1993

Ex-Travelling College train – 12 Mk.I carriages were purchased in late 1993. Five remain on the Bluebell. The following, which had been converted to dormitories were immediately sold-on: SK 25795, SK 25856 and SK 25994. Subsequently TSO 4921, SK 25853, BCK 21238, the “New Century Lounge” SK 25778, and SK 25776, were also sold for use elsewhere.

Five former “Queen of Scots” Sleeping Cars were hired for use on the Bluebell for a few years from 1992: BR Mk.I Sleeper First 2110 “State Car No.85”, BR Mk.I SK 26208 “Imperial State Car No.84”, BR Mk.I Sleeper First 2108 “State Car No.83” and BR Mk.I SK 26169 “Imperial State Car No.82”, which all left again after just a few years use. Mk.I SLC 2442 (QoS No.88, “Service Car No.2”) was purchased by the Bluebell, and was used as a staff dormitory for nearly 30 years. It was sold at the end of 2022.

Former SLOA (later FSS) set BN 91 carriages, which were on hire to the Bluebell from April 1990 for a year, were: BCK 120 (Sc21236) and FOs 125 Eileen (M3115), 127 Carol (M3117), 128 Beryl (M3130) and 358 (M3108), in addition to 3116 (listed above).

rake of carriages was hired in 1963 to cover for the Chesham Set being sent to Neasden for the centenary of the Metropolitan Railway. These were Bulleid Brake Composite S6714S, Mk.I TSO S4381, Bulleid Open Third S1495S, Bulleid Open Third S1473S, Mk.I TSO S4014 and Mk.I 48-seat Open Second (later reclassified as Open First) S3504. None of these vehicles entered preservation. S3504 was used to supplement the Sheffield Park Buffet seating prior to the arrival of Maunsell 1365.

Arriving on the Bluebell on 24 February 1963 along with another SECR “Hundred Seater” (No. 971) was No. S1070S of a very slightly earlier design with some timber (rather than all-steel) panelling. Because it had broken windows, it was returned to BR, and replaced by another similar carriage in May that year. It is seen at Sheffield Park in Ian Nolan’s photo.

Maunsell low-window corridor 3rd No. S2354S was borrowed from BR for a Civil Defence exercise on 8 April 1962, as seen the previous week in Ian Nolan’s photo.

splash The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service


Copyright © 7 October 1995, and subsequent updates.
Last update 25 November 2024 by Richard Salmon.