Spa Valley Railway

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

MK1 Coaches

(Photo ©J. Nye)

BCK - E21214

Built - 1958
Builder - Metro-Cammell
Seats - 12F 18S
Bogies - B1

Built in 1958 by Metropolitan Cammell for British Railway's Eastern Region, this braked corridor composite has a guard's compartment and a mixture of first and second class seating. For a time it was a support coach for SR 'King Arthur' class No.777 'Sir Lamiel' on the main line. It was purchased by society members from the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in 1994 and restored for service on the re-opened line. Fitted with air braking in 1998, the coach can now run in either an air or a vacuum braked train. Withdrawn from service in October 2000, the coach has had a major overhaul and returned to service for the second time in July 2002. In 2006, the coach received a new set of bogies during some bogie swaps, and was returned to service soon after.

Livery - Maroon

Current Status - Operational

Photo © M. Dives

SO - SC4809

Built - 1957
Builder - York
Seats - 48S
Bogies - B1

An earlier built coach (1957), but identical to 4828. 4809 was preserved at the Caledonian Railway, Brechin, where it has been restored and seen use in passenger trains. In early 2005, discussions between the Spa Valley Railway and the carriage owners began with regards to a potential swap for one of our compartment coaches. This resulted in 4809 arriving in the South on 11th January 2007, with SK 25857 going the other way. Although needing some time in the shed for bodywork, the coach will enter service on the railway and be used when required. It is thought that it will enter the shed for work upon completion of SK 25857, likely towards the end of 2007.

It is thought that both SO coaches will make an ideal basis for a potential future Wine and Dine train, offering 2+1 seating arrangements which give passengers some extra space and comfort.

Livery - BR Maroon

Current Status - Awaiting Overhaul

(Photo ©M. Dives)

SO - E4828

Built - 1959
Builder - BRCW
Seats - 48S
Bogies - B4

A British Railways second class open (SO) built in 1959 in Birmingham. Having spent some time in a mainline railtour set, it was purchased by members in 1999 and moved from the East Somerset Railway to Tunbridge Wells in the same year. The coach underwent a heavy overhaul and rebuild between 2003 and 2007. It entered service in April 2007 and has become popular with many passengers.

Livery - BR Southern Green

Current Status - Operational

(Photo ©T. Parsons)

SKs - E25845, E25843

Built - 1961/2
Builder - Derby
Seats - 48/64S
Bogies - Commonwealth

These BR second class corridor (SK) coaches were built at Derby in 1962. Four SK’s were purchased by society members from the Birmingham Railway Museum in 1994. Three of the four coaches were restored to service. 25857 and 25845 ran in original form, 25832 was resold, whilst 25843 was converted into a bar-buffet car in 1999. (See separate page) - 'Kate'. 25845 entered the shed in February 2006 for a major overhaul. Work centred on replacing the ends of the coach, along with turning the toilet area into a storage area for prams and buggies. All the upholstery was renewed and the whole coach was given a fresh coat of paint. The vehicle was out shopped in August 2008.

In early 2007, 25857 was swapped for a Mark 1 SO and moved to the Caledonian Railway at Brechin.

Livery - 25845 - BR Maroon
25843 - BR Southern Green

Current Status - Nos. 25843 & 25845 - Operational.

TSORB - S69306

Built at York in 1965, this buffet car (Trailer Second Open Restaurant Buffet) was formerly part of a Class 420/1 (4-BIG) Southern Region electric unit No. 7036. Acquired by society members from the Colne Valley Railway in early 2002, it has been restored and put into service as the new static buffet at Tunbridge Wells West

Livery - BR Southern Green

Current Status - Operational as the static buffet at Tunbridge Wells West.

GLV 68503 (unit 489104)

Originally built as part of a 2 HAP as coach 61277, this was BR designed 1957 outer suburban stock. The vehicle was converted during 1983/4 at Eastleigh works for use as a luggage van on the Gatwick Express push pull sets, working in conjunction with Class 73 locomotives and Mk2 coaches (class 488).

During conversion the body sides were extensively rebuilt to provide three pairs of double doors equally spaced along the side. The sides were also extended below solebar level to match the Mk2 coach profile. A guard's compartment and corridor connection were installed at the non driving end and the passenger interior removed to provide a large luggage space. . The existing motor bogie was retained to provide 500hp of traction to the unit. The GLVs also provided power to the class 488 trailers to provide air conditioning and lighting. The coach was renumbered to Class 489, unit 9104, coach 68503.

GLV 9104 was originally withdrawn in 2000, but was then overhauled and returned to use in 2002. Along with 9110 it was the last of the GLVs to be withdrawn by Gatwick Express in late 2005. It was acquired from Porterbrook Leasing in February 2006 for use as a mobile engineering vehicle.

Livery – Gatwick Express

Current Status - Operational as a mobile engineering vehicle

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