Built to provide an at-seat dining service on the Southern’s principal expresses, this coach’s kitchen served 24 first class passengers together with 56 in an adjacent third class saloon. In 1951 it was used on the Bournemouth-Newcastle service, in conjunction with dining saloon 7841 (1365), also preserved on the Bluebell.
Used on the Bluebell from 1962 to 1981 to provide static catering at Sheffield Park station, it is now the subject of a fund-raising appeal to raise the money for its overhaul and restoration to use in its original form for our train of Maunsell coaches. The body is in extremely bad condition with much of the structure having been affected by rot, and the interior will have to be reconstructed almost from scratch. However, with £120,000 already raised, and a team of volunteers ready to tackle it after having spent several years making some “quick wins”, work is expected to start imminently. Further donations will help speed the project to completion.
Should the funds raised be more than required to complete this vehicle, the surplus will be applied to other Southern Railway Maunsell Carriage restoration projects.
Reasons for restoring 7864 and potential uses:
- The last surviving Southern Railway catering vehicle.
- It would provide 24 unclassified Buffet Car/Dining Car seats.
- Originally first class, it could be used as such on Santa Specials.
- In the long term 7864 could run with Full Dining Saloon 7841 (1365) which would provide 64 third class dining seats. In the short term 1309 or 1336 could be used.
- A back up to Fingall for the Golden Arrow Dining Train.
- 7864 will provide a service between that offered by the Pullmans and RMBs.
- The Pantry could be adapted to form a buffet, serving into the transverse corridor.
- Ideal vehicle for use on cream teas, fish & chip supper type meal services. It could provide lunchtime meals from the kitchen and then serve afternoon teas from the pantry.
- Food could be prepared in the kitchen rather than beforehand in the Bessemer Arms; it would be fresher and might save on staff costs.
- Provide a mobile stand-by catering facility at Sheffield Park or Horsted Keynes if the permanent facilities require maintenance. It could also be temporarily stabled at Kingscote.
- Take some of the pressure off the Bessemer Arms.
- A flexible vehicle, which has a larger kitchen than Fingall as well as a pantry.
- The vehicle is Bluebell owned.
- It forms a key part of the Bluebell Railway’s long-term plan for a Maunsell rake of coaches.
