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Withdrawn from service in October 2000, the coach has had a major overhaul and returned to service for the second time in July 2002.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, it received a new set of bogies during some bogie swaps, and was returned to service soon after. 

In 2010, the coach received an intermediate overhaul and a repaint on one side prior to being released back into traffic in March 2011 in time for the Eridge opening.

Livery - Maroon

Current Status - Operational

(Photo ©M. Dives)

SO - 4828

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 and ownership by the VSOE, 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.

It is thought that the SO coach 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. Since entering service 4828 has already found perfect use on our very popular Fish & Chip Suppers and Wine & Dine evenings. 

A second SO vehicle (4809) previously located on the railway was part of a swap deal that brought TSO 5037 to the railway in March 2011.

Livery - BR Malachite Green

Current Status - Operational

TSO - 5037

Built - 1962
Builder - Wolverton
Seats - 64S
Bogies - Commonwealth

Like 4902 and 4999, 5037 has spent most of its life on the mainline as a spare coach for the railtour operator sets. It passed into private ownership in 2009 where it was purchased by the Epping and Ongar Railway for use on the re-opened railway. In late 2010 a deal was reached between the railways whereby the vehicle would be swapped for SO 4809 with the transfer taking place in March 2011. 5037 has arrived on the railway requiring a full overhaul before it can return to service. The work includes reinstating the vacuum brakes and steam heating equipment and major body work. This commenced in early 2011. 

Livery - BR Malachite Green

Status - Undergoing Overhaul

SKs - 25845, 25843

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

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 Malachite 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