Carriage News

On Tuesday 15th of November BSK 35329 became the first coach to be completed in the new carriage and wagon workshops at Ropley. Work carried out on this vehicle included two new complete ends, new centre pillars between the passenger doors and guards doors, repairs to doors, new floors throughout including a new concrete floor in the luggage area, repairs to the ceiling panels as well as a full repaint into southern green and a full bogie overhaul which was carried out by Alresford train care.

None of this work would have been possible without the generous donations of tools and materials which we have been collecting over the last year. I would like to take this oppotunity to thank all of the people that kindly donated to the carriage and wagon department and extend an invitation to them, if they are at Ropley to make themselves known and i will gladly show them around our new workshops and they can see for themselves their donated items being used.

A big thankyou to:

Chris Davies, Locksheath, Hampshire.
Joan Osbourne, Camberley, Surrey.
Jean Hole, Newhaven, Sussex.
Alan Gamblin, Alresford, Hampshire.
Eon Turner, ...

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On 21^st and 22^nd May the MHR Guards and Shunters Section arranged these days for all MHR operational volunteers to gain experience in how the drophead buckeye coupling works. This is the coupling used between our coaches, and also on the tender of certain locomotives as well.

After a short introduction and video, participants went to the Alresford sidings to look at the couplings in more detail. Under the supervision of 3 Guards and Shunters Foremen (Chris Cornell, Ian Davey and Richard Stevens) they were shown how to raise and lower the buckeye, how to attach and detach coaches as well as coupling/uncoupling the vacuum brake and steam heating hoses plus setting the buffers in the correct position. Motive power was provided by ‘Gronk’ D3358 (08288).

Additionally, the opportunity was taken to provide driver training on the 08.

Thanks go to all those who participated and the staff who drove the 08 and arranged coaches for us to use.

Ian Davey

Guards and Shunters Foreman and Training Officer

Due to the fire which occurred in the Carriage & Wagon Workshop at Ropley, the Maunsell coach has been destroyed beyond repair.  Given the wooden nature of the frame, very little now remains of this fine example of Southern region coaching stock which is enormously disappointing.

For more information on the fire, please see Latest and Loco News threads.

Today, John and Co had stripped the Maunsell of its casing revealing the lattice work of oak framing beneath.  Assessment is now being made as to the condition of the frames and the areas that will require replacing.  Considering the length of time outside, much of the frame is in good condition.

The stripping also revealed the windows had been shortened at some time.  These are now being restored to their original width.

Anyone interested in volunteering on this project, please get in touch with us.  All help gratefully received!

Also today, the Observation Coach returned from Crewe where it was being overhauled.  Looks fantastic and fitted out with leather seats!  Look out for forthcoming announcements as to its use.

Tim Beere

Maunsell coach S 7851 has moved into the new Carriage and Wagon facility at Ropley. For many years it has been largely unseen (but not forgotten) in the Alresfrod headshunt. John Cook however has kept it watertight and it has been used as storage for the many spares that John has acculmulated for 7851 and our two Bulleid coaches. It has taken a good couple of months to transfer what was inside to currently non operational Bulleid S4367!

S 7851 will be the first coach to be restored in the new shed at Ropley. It is basically sound, but as you can see there is a fair amount of work required to be done.

John Wright at Ropley is project managing the restoration and is keen for any assistance (either skilled or non skilled) that can be given. If you pop into Ropley any day Monday to Friday, he will be pleased to see you.

All photos courtesy of Chris Willis.

Chris Le Corney

Yesterday LSWR dining car No. 7851 was shunted into the new carriage shop, the first time it has been under cover for probably 40 years at least. The vintage carriage group, who had been looking after this vehicle, had done a great job of keeping the body relatively dry by covering the roof and sides with tarpaulins. However, a lot of work will need to be done to get her back to running order.

The attached photos show the coach being shunted in Ropley yard (photo 1), inside the new shed looking at the kitchen/pantry end (photo 2), the saloon end (photo 3), Internal view of saloon (photo 4), Internal view of Kitchen/pantry (photo 5) and photo 6 is an after shot in the pantry end after a few hours sorting and cleaning

Regards John Wright.