Coaching Stock

Notes

The Mid Hants Railway operates a wide variety of Rolling Stock, ranging from former boat train carriages to coal wagons.

Passenger Coaching Stock
The majority of our carriage stock consists of British Railways Mk 1, but there are some
interesting exceptions. Our service trains are usually five to six coaches long with a
maximum of six due to the platform lengths.
 Our carriage restoration department at Ropley have refurbished many of these heritage
coaches to a high standard and continue to work on restoring our non-operational stock.  
 
Our carriages are painted in British Railways Southern Region green, unless noted, to
match the operational period of our railway. In the carriage descriptions, the two or three
letters refer to the BR type or telegraphic code for the vehicle.

Southern Railway Coaches
After the second world war a marked change took place in the style of locomotive hauled
coaches. O.V. Bullied, a pioneer in locomotive design, had introduced some new designs
of electric stock in 1941, and four years later turned his attention to locomotive hauled
stock.
The new carriages were easily distinguishable from pre-war stock with curved bodysides,
widest at the waist, and curved windows. Although the electric stock being built was all
steel, these new carriages had steel sheet sides and ends on timber framing. Roofs were
entirely of timber with a canvas covering. 54 carriages were built on 58-foot-long
underframes and side doors to each compartment. From 1946 new end door designs
appeared on longer 63ft 5ins underframes and the three coaches on the Watercress Line
are of this type. Compartments could only be accessed from a corridor and open Saloon
designs were introduced.
Production of Bullied designed coaches by the Southern Railway and the Birmingham
Carriage and Wagon Co Ltd continued until nationalisation. Further examples were built
by British Railways at Eastleigh for the Southern Region until 1951 when the BR Mark 1
coaches were introduced.

1456 Bullied Open Saloon Third -TTO Built 1947 SR at Eastleigh
This carriage was built to diagram 2017 for use in a Bournemouth line 6 car set. It has body side sheeting extended down over the sole bars, which was a feature of these sets. 1456 ran in set 295 until it was disbanded in1966. All of this batch of carriages had been withdrawn by November 1968, but 1456 survived however on BR in departmental service as DS70285 until 1980. It was then acquired by the National Railway Museum, and placed on loan to the Bluebell Railway.
In the late 1990s the NRM carried out a re-appraisal of their collection, and concluded that the best course of action for the continued preservation of this coach was to transfer its ownership to the Bluebell Railway. As the Bluebell has preserved a number of Bullied carriages, it was moved to the Watercress Line in 2012 on a 25-year loan. Following extensive restoration work in our Ropley workshop, it entered service in 2020.

4211 Bullied Semi Open Brake Third- BTK. Built 1947 by the Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company
This carriage was built to diagram 2124 as part of an order to BRCW for 24 three coach sets.
It entered service as part of set no 796 initially on Waterloo to west of England services. The set was disbanded in 1965 with 4211 having been transferred to Western Region stock following boundary changes, as it was in use west of Salisbury. In 1968 it was set aside by BR for conversion.
By 1970 it has reappeared as a mobile training coach for carriage and wagon staff renumbered as DB975406. It served in this guise in the Bristol area until the end of 1974 and was offered for sale in 1975.
4211 was one of the first carriages to arrive on the Watercress Line in March 1976. It is now a wheelchair accessible carriage, formed by carefully adapting the compartment adjacent to the Guards compartment.

4367 Bullied Semi Open Brake Third -BTK.  Built 1948 BR at Eastleigh
A similar British Railways built example to 4211. It was built to Diagram 2123 for the Bournemouth line 6 car sets, as did our saloon 1456. It ran in set 299 until 1966 when the set was disbanded and 4367 was withdrawn.
Transferred to the British Army, it was used as an inspection saloon on their railway system at Long Marston in Warwickshire. It arrived at the Watercress Line in 1992.
It has received some attention in our Ropley workshop as shown and is currently stored, under protective sheeting, awaiting full restoration.

BRITISH RAILWAYS MARK 1 COACHES
The majority of coaches in service on the Watercress Line are examples of the British Railways Mark 1 design. This was the first standard stock introduced after nationalisation in 1948. Over 10,000 of these coaches were built by BR workshops and outside contractors between 1951 and 1964.
The main influences in the design of these coaches were the post war Bullied coaches of the Southern Railway and the latter-day designs of the LMS. The SR designs featured a curved profile giving passengers more space at elbow level, but their bodies were wooden framed with steel panels as in pre-war designs. The considerable experience of the LMS in building all steel stock was put to use in building the all-steel Mark 1’s, and many electrical and other fittings were taken from LMS practice.
The all-steel body of the Mark 1 coach was welded to the steel underframe and formed a strong box structure. Safety considerations also led to use of a clasp type automatic centre coupler and a spring-loaded gangway connection. The couplers were a scaled down USA design and are known as known as ‘Buckeye Couplers’.
The coaches were mounted on BR1 double bolster bogies which gave rather unsatisfactory results. Some were fitted subsequently with heavier ‘Commonwealth’ pattern bogies but the problems were only fully resolved with the fitting of B4 and later, B5 bogies. Examples of all of these types can be seen in use on our stock.
The prototype Mark 1 coach was built at Eastleigh in 1950. Production of corridor coaches started in 1951 and non-corridor ‘saloon’ coaches starting in 1954.

1105 Griddle car- RUG. Built Doncaster 1952 with major rebuild to Griddle in 1965
This is the oldest British Railways Mark 1 carriage that we have in service. It was built
originally as a First-Class Restaurant car with kitchen. with loose seating. An extensive
rebuild as a Griddle car was carried out in 1965, to diagram 31. The carriage seats 30 in
a mix of loose and fixed seating and runs on B5 Bogies.
In the 1960’s the BR Board were keen to improve their catering service. An attempt was
made to replicate the amenities found in a good pub, and this resulted in the Griddle Car.
Although Buffet cars were already well established, these cars were given a more
informal seating arrangement, a buffet bar and the griddle – a gas heated hot plate
surrounded with glass splash screens. The era of fast food had arrived!
1105 is from a second batch of three carriages that were all converted in 1965. There
were only six Locomotive hauled Mark 1 Griddle cars produced in total, of which three
have been preserved.
On the Southern Region the Restaurant Cars on three of the pre-war designed, Waterloo
to Portsmouth line electric trains, were also converted to Griddle cars as part of this
initiative.
Restoration work on 1105 in our Ropley workshop has included attention to bodywork
and external repainting in 2024 and extensive renewal of the gas supply and ventilation
systems in 2026.

1807 & 1851 Open Second with Miniature Buffet- RMB
These carriages were built with 44 seats laid out 2 and 2 at tables on each side of a central aisle, with a central buffet area designed to serve drinks and snacks.
Between 1957 and 1963 a total of 82 of these coaches were constructed, for services where limited light refreshments were required.
1807 was part of a batch built for service on the Eastern Region, where it stayed until transferred to the Southern Region in 1974. It was withdrawn from use in May 1982 and was moved to the Watercress Line from sidings in Basingstoke.
1851 was part of a batch of 15 built for the London Midland Region. By the late 1960’s it was transferred to the Western Region where it remained until withdrawn from use during 1981. The coach came to the Watercress Line from Didcot shortly afterwards.

Running Number	Built By	Year	Bogie Type
1807	BR York	1957	B4
1851	BR Wolverton	1960	B5

1668 Restaurant Buffet- RB 1973 Restaurant Unclassified Kitchen- RUK
1668 was built to diagram 24 and had 23 loose chairs at 6 large and 5 small fixed tables together with Buffet Bar and Kitchen. It was always allocated to the Eastern Region operating on cross country services such as the Devonian and later on the east coast main line. It was withdrawn when High Speed Trains were introduced and came to the Watercress Line for use on our dining services in 1981.
1973 was modified to diagram 27 by BR to incorporate a Buffet with a similar layout to 1668. Also allocated to the Eastern Region it survived in main line service slightly longer, being preserved in 1991. The carriage has received further internal modification to serve as the Kitchen for our Dining car services. 4 tables, each with 3 or 4 loose seats have been retained.
Construction Details.

Running Number	Built By	Year	Bogie Type
1668	Pressed Steel	1961	Commonwealth
1973	BR Swindon	1961	Commonwealth

Number Origin Class/Type Liv Details Notes Old No
 381         LMS SLF Maroon Wln 1951 DB975184
 1105       BR RE Mark 1 Green Doncaster 1952 Operational 975878/302
 1353       LSWR BTK Ironclad Olive EH 1923 DS70016
 1456       SR TSO Bulleid Green Eastleigh 1947
 1668       BR RB Mk 1 CH PS 1960 Operational
 1807       BR RMB Mk 1 Green York 1957 Operational
 1851       BR RMB Mk 1 Green Wln 1960 Operational
 1973       BR RU Mk 1 CH Swindon 1961 Operational
 3067       BR FO Mk 1 CH Doncaster 1955 Operational ‘Sage’
 3070       BR FO Mk 1 CH Doncaster 1955 Operational ‘Fern’
 3738       BR TSO Mk 1 Green Doncaster 1953 Operational
 3766       BR TSO Mk 1 Maroon York 1953 Operational
 3769       BR TSO Mk 1 Green York 1953 Operational
 3906       BR TSO Mk 1 Green  1954 OpeEHrational 53906
 4211       SR BTK Bulleid Green BRCW 1947 Operational DS70319
 4224       BR TSO Mk 1 Green York 1956 Operational 99813
 4367       SR BTK Bulleid Olive EH 1948 Under repair Alresford Army5202
 4423       BR TSO Mk 1 Green BRCW 1956 Operational
 4549       BR TSO Mk 1 Green York 1956 Operational
 4600       BR TSO Mk 1 Green York 1956 Operational
 4712       BR TSO Mk 1 Green York 1957 Operational
 4822       BR SO Mk 1 Green BRCW 1959 Operational 99425
 4910       BR TSO Mk 1 Green Wln 1961 Operational
 4977       BR TSO Mk 1 Green Wln 1962 Operational
 13502     BR FK Mk 2b Green Derby 1968 v/a Alton
 13540     BR FK Mk 2c Green Derby 1970 v/a Alton 19540
 15939     BR CK Mk 1 GC Wln 1956 7939
 16083     BR CK Mk 1 Green MC 1959 Operational
 16204     BR CK Mk 1 Maroon Derby 1961 7204
 21208     BR BCK Mk 1 BC MC 1958 std Alresford
 21236     BR BCK Mk 1 Green Swindon 1961 Operational     99120
 21252     BR BCK Mk 1 Green Derby 1963 Operational
 25591     BR SK Mk 1     Maroon     Wln 1958     18591
 34618     BR BSK Mk 1     Green     GRCW 1955     s/v Alresford
 34947     BR     BSK Mk 1     Green     MC 1956     Operational
 35277     BR     BSK Mk 1     B     GRCW 1960     Support Coach Ex BTU     977006
 35317     BR     BSK Mk 1     Green     Wln 1963     Support Coach for Lord Nelson
 35329     BR     BSK Mk 1     R     Wln 1962     Operational DS329
 35331     BR     BSK Mk 1     GC     Wln 1962     Operational      80223
   
Coaching Stock NPCCS
Number    Origin    Class/Type    Liv    Details    Notes    Old No
154         SECR    PMVY    G    Ashford 1922    std Medstead    DS792/1995
765         SR    BY    G    EH 1939    s/v
1765       SR    CCTY    R    EH 1938    083295
1768       SR    CCTY    G    EH 1938    s/v Ropley
1851       SR    PMVY    B    EH 1940    s/v Medstead
2188       SR    PMVY    b/w    Ashford 1934    std Ropley    DS11
2196       SR    PMVY    b/w    Ashford 1934    s/v Alton Headshunt    DS93
80753     BR    BG Mark 1    G    BRCW 1956    s/v Alresford
81101     BR    BG Mark 1    CH    MC 1958    op    84101
86460     BR    GUV Mark 1    B    PS 1958    s/v Alresford    93460
86690     BR    GUV Mark 1    B    PS 1959    s/v Meon Sidings    93690
    
Plant
Number    Origin    Class/Type    Liv    Details    Notes    Old No
              BR    Platelayers Trolley    Y    /????    Medstead
              BR    Platelayers Trolley    Y    /????    Medstead
              BR    Platelayers Trolley    Y    /????    Medstead bare frame
              BR    Platelayers Trolley    Y    /????    Medstead
              BR    Platelayers Trolley    Y    /????    Medstead
              BR    Platelayers Trolley    /????    Alresford
              BR    Platelayers Trolley    Y    /????    Medstead
              BR    Platelayers Trolley    Y    /????    Medstead
7031       BR    18 Trolley    Si    Wkm 1954    dsmT – DX68081
7515       BR    27 Trolley    rst    Wkm 1956    dsmT – DX68059    B51W/TR22/PWM4168
10707     BR    18 Trolley    Wkm 1974    DB965991    68075
10839     BR    18 Trolley    Y    Wkm 1975    DB966031    68082
80132     SR    10t Steam Crane    Y    T&H 1945    Alton h/s    DS58
80133     SR    10t Steam Crane    GR    T&H 1948    Alton h/s    DS414
95216     SR    45t Steam Crane    K    R&R 1944    Alton h/s    DS1580
FR503    PO    PW130 R/R    Y    Komatsu ????    Medstead (opb Ready Power)
    
Wagons
Our Wagon restoration department have, over many years, built up a fine rake of heritage wagons that are the envy of many preserved railways.  Whilst no longer revenue earning stock, our fine assortment of operational wagons is regularly used during Galas and special timetabled demonstration services. 

Number    Origin    Class/Type    Liv    Details    Notes    Old No

              BR    12t Vanfit    BX    /????    b/o Ropley Shed
7            SR    12t 8pl Open    R    /????    std Fictitious No – Colliery Supply Co    PBA60046
29           PO    22t Presflo    Y    But 1960    op    APCM8629
95           PO    14t Tar Tank    GR    HN 1940    op Ex SW Tar Distillers
104         MOD    50t Warwell    HW 1943    std
2019        PO    14t Oil Tank    GR    Cam    std Ropley ‘National Benzole’
3096        SR    Crane Runner    R&R 1944    Runner for ADRR95216 Alton h/s
3149        SR    Warwell    Y    /????    op Fit Atlas Hydraulic Crane
3151        SR    Warwell    /????    std    083262
4134        BR    12t Palvan    OL    /????    Army I/d
14004      MOD    50t Warwell    GR    HW 1944    std
17392      GWR    20t Toad    BX    Sdn 1939    op
35907      GWR    20t Toad    GR    Sdn 1944    op    56831
49741      SR    12t Vent Van    GR    /1940    op    AD47777
55506      SR    25t Dance Hall    Lancing 1926    std
56501      SR    25t Brake Van    BX    Ashford 1941    op    AD49001
56506      SR    25t Brake Van    BX    Ashford 1946    op    AD49000
57849      SR    40t Bolster    EH 1924    std
57959      SR    40t Bolster    Ashford 1946    Runner for 80132 Alton h/s
58007      SR    Crane Runner    /1946    Runner for 80133 Alton h/s
67373      PO    35t Oil Tank    GR    Pod 1967    Ex BP std Ropley    973/Reg635
96549      GWR    10t Mink A    BX    Sdn 1921    b/o Alton
100713    GWR    10t Crocodile    rst    Sdn 1942
105761    GWR    7t Gunpowder Van    GR    Cam 1939    op Fictitious No    AD16083
246837    LNER    40t Dolphin    /????
264632    BR    16t Mineral Open    GR    Dcw 1957    op    041563
276733    LNER    13t 5pl Open    GR    /????    op Fictitious No    PBA66033
40147B    BR    A Container    BX    /????    p/o Lowfit 452718 Fictitious No
452718    BR    13t Steel Lowfit    BX    Shn 1955    op    083473
453433    BR    13t Steel Lowfit    BX    Shn 1957    op    083474
460001    PO    13t 1pl Open    BX    /1936    po Fictitious No Ex Tank    202
470772    LNER    40t Dolphin    Dar 1947
481682    BR    13t Steel Highfit    BX    Shn 1951    op
514791    LMS    12t Vent Van    BX    Wln 1940    a/r Meon Siding    SNSO836
517317    LMS    12t Vent Van    Wln 1942    u/r Alton    SNSO806
520771    LMS    12t Vent Van    BX    Wln 1943    op    Army47486
65558B    BR    AF Container    W    /????    p/o Lowfit 453433
725540    BR    12t 5pl Shoc-highbar    BX    Derby 1958    AD2
726064    BR    12t 5pl Shoc-highbar    BX    Derby 1959    op Cut Down 2pl    RNAD6
730821    BR    22t 5pl Tube    BX    Derby 1960    std    024522
741751    BR    12t 5pl Pipefit    BX    Wln 1961    std    RNAD9
741764    BR    12t 5pl Pipefit    BX    Wln 1961    std    RNAD8
760337    BR    12t Vanfit    Wln 1952    WGB4170
763661    BR    12t Vanfit    BX    Wln 1952    std    083291
772824    BR    12t Vanfit    BX    Ashford 1956    op
773655    LNER    40t Dolphin    Dar 1946
773700    LNER    40t Dolphin    HW 1948
776446    BR    12t Palvan    BX    Fav 1957    u/r Alton
782114    BR    12t Palvan    BX    Wln 1960
786834    BR    12t Vanfit    BX    PS 1962    op
854732    BR    12t Shocvan    BX    Fav 1958    op    4034
951338    BR    20t Brake Van    BX    Fav 1951    LNER Design op
953701    BR    20t Brake Van    GR    Fav 1958    u/r Medstead
972624    BR    21t Rudd    Chr 1957    B428276
972782    BR    21t Rudd    Stw 1957    B428636
982613    BR    40t Seacow    Shn 1972
982910    BR    40t Seacow    Shn 1973
984905    BR    20t Grampus    K    GRCW 1957
985126    BR    20t Grampus    K    But 1951
992987    BR    24t Dogfish    MC 1956
993161    BR    24t Dogfish    Chr 1957
993259    BR    24t Dogfish    Chr 1959
993345    BR    24t Dogfish    MC 1957