Spa Valley Railway

Spa Valley Railway, West Station, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY
Telephone: 01892 537715
Email enquiries@spavalleyrailway.co.uk

LC&DR 4-Wheeler No.91

Built in 1862

Built in February 1862, it operated on the London, Chatham and Dover Railway for 25 years as a 2nd class coach, having five compartments with oil lighting. It was downgraded to 3rd class in 1887, and numbered 346. Condemned in June 1891, very little else is known of it's life in service, other than it might have been in use on a military line at Chattendene. It was preserved at Cooling Castle, near Cliffe, by the North Downs Railway, where it is believed to have been since at least 1950. It was in good condition due to a corrugated iron roof being placed on top, though it had seen use as a chicken shed.

Moved to Higham Yard, and then to Chatham Dockyard for restoration to begin in 1984. Placed on a modern wagon chassis, the coach awaits restoration in the shed at Tunbridge Wells. Restoration of this vehicle is likely to be lengthy and expensive, as coaches of this time were made of only the best materials. The body is almost solid teak.

Current Status - Awaits restoration

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