Our C & W activities were inadvertently started with the purchase of a 12 ton vent van, number B761940, from Swindon Works (by the Company) to store locomotive parts for 73156. With the passage of time, more space was needed to house an ever increasing number of parts, refurbished, fabricated and purchased, so in 1992 a Southern Region CCT number S1747S was added to the fleet, again a Company purchase. Subsequently, some of our members suggested that we could possibly have our own freight train to run behind 73156 when restoration was finally completed. The Standard 4 Group (80097) at Bury would be the role model for this venture, since they had already acquired a substantial number of vehicles albeit mainly vent vans and oil tankers.

Ian Bartlett, currently Group Chairman and Secretary, was to become the instigator, buying a Southern Region PMV from Doncaster works in 1994. During restoration of this vehicle, other members discussed what was still available on “the system” or elsewhere on private sites, with a view to acquiring the more unusual and less common types of vehicle. The redevelopment of Chester mpd would be the provider of no less than four vehicles for Group members during 1998/9. It must be stressed at this point that the purchase of these vehicles would in no way compromise the restoration work of the locomotive. This type of venture would be undertaken by members, funded by themselves, who did not have the necessary skills to provide assistance working on the locomotive, but who thought that the preservation of other less complicated rolling stock was well within their own capabilities. Ian and a few other Group members decided to pursue a number of vehicles during the period 1997 – 2000, and whilst not all were successful, the following itemised accounts of what they did manage to obtain may appeal to those of you who enjoy the broader spectrum of railway preservation. For the record, CCT S1747S is now owned by Ian Barlett, whilst the vent van B761940 has been sold to Keith Battersby, not a member, but a close working colleague at Bury who specialises in restoring LMS carriages. All vehicles listed, whilst privately owned, are considered to be part of the Group.

Southern Region CCT, S1747S.

Discovered being used as an advertising hoarding by Neville Johnson Kitchens at Trafford Park in the early nineties, sporting a blue and white livery. We thought it was essential and ideal for storing loco parts, and following representations to NJK, was donated to the Company providing that advertising be given to them at every opportunity. These occasions proved to be somewhat limited, so the Company eventually purchased the vehicle outright. Moved to Bury by a BT low-loader free of charge (Ian Bartlett was able to arrange this whilst being employed by BT) and subsequently re-painted in a subtle shade of lime green! This was the only paint we had at the time. Unfortunately this vehicle had no wheel bearings, and we are still trying to source a set to date. Since re-painted in a colour more akin to BR works green, our long term aim is to obtain bearings and restore to B.R. coaching stock Southern Green. If anyone knows where we can obtain compatible bearings, please let us know.

Current status : Awaiting re-paint and provision of wheel bearings.

Southern Region PMV, S2223S.

Saved by a fluke from the breakers yard in 1994, this vehicle was an unsold lot by the receivers winding up RFS Engineering, based at Doncaster Works at the time. One of our Company Directors brought this to the Groups attention, and Ian Bartlett tabled a successful bid. Both Ian and Neville Ward spent a long day preparing transportation to Bury, again by low-loader, and from experience it does not always pay to have the cheapest quote. Transport companies who are not used to moving railway vehicles do not have trailers fitted with lengths of rail, nor even a winch to pull on to the trailer sometimes. We could write a best seller about some of our escapades in transporting vehicles during the early acquisitions, when we probably broke every health and safety regulation in the book, but you learn very quickly. Ian spent the next few years restoring the PMV back to Southern malachite green, and it has operated in freight trains run by photographic charter groups and also East Lancs Steam Galas.

Current status : Awaiting re-paint, as with the sister CCT vehicle, it will be done to B.R. coaching stock Southern Green.

LMS STOVE “R” M32978.

1997 saw our search for “something completely different”, a vehicle that would be difficult to obtain and most desirable, namely a Stove R. We knew of only two that might be available at the time, one at Southport Railway Centre, the other at The Great Western Railway Museum, Coleford. A visit to Southport resulted in us being informed that theirs had been bought by the L & Y Railway Trust at the KWVR, so we left more than a little disappointed. Our visit to see Mike Rees at Coleford gave us a glimmer of hope, but Mike did not want to sell, but part ex for a GWR Toad, compatible with all his other rolling stock and also for his GWR location. As luck would have it, there was a Toad available at Bury, and following lengthy negotiations Ian Bartlett agreed a deal with the owner for the sale and Mike at Coleford for the resultant exchange. Now the fun really started.

For those of you who have never visited the GWR Museum at Coleford, it is situated in the town centre adjacent to a shopping precinct with a car park at the other side, in other words completely hemmed in! We had already decided on Alleleys Transport to do the job, and duly invited David Alleley to site for his advice on how to get the Stove R out, and the Toad installed afterwards. Simple. Take down half the perimeter fencing and build a ramp up the grass slope with sleepers with which to lay track on, then pull it out on to the trailer. No problem. Following this, a team of three made a few weekend visits to prepare for the operation which amazingly went without any problems at all, apart from a few annoyed shoppers who were unable to park their cars whilst we commandeered part of the car park to facilitate the moves during February 1998.

Over the last five years, the vehicle has been completely re-panelled, had new wood replaced where necessary, new springs made and fitted and also corridor connectors refurbished for fitting in the very near future. Completion of this project is expected in early 2004.

Current status: Preparing for undercoat externally. Internally, 90% complete. Hopefully in traffic in 2008.

Southern Region Brake Van S55170.

Hard on the heels of the Stove R, this came from the original site of Delph station near Oldham. It had been inspected in the Summer of `97, and following protracted negotiations was transported to Bury one month after the Stove R. As with the Stove, it was not the easiest vehicle to move, being hemmed in by a boat and a mk1 carriage next to the original station platform. To cut a long story short, the trackwork on which it stood had to be slewed away from the platform edge, then the vehicle itselves was pulled onto the hard standing area by the site owners bull-dozer before Alleleys  Haulage could perform their part of the operation! An outstanding feature of the vehicle was that all the original number and works plates, were still in situ. At the end of a very long working day, it was safely transported to Bury.

Current status : The brake van has seen extensive work done to the wooden cabin, and also frame refurbishment. Awaiting new steel plate section for the cabin floor area.

Southern Region Ferry Van B889011

Our first visit to Chester in the Spring of `98 (which would be extremely fruitful for us) was to look at a 25 ton “Queen Mary” brake van which was reputedly surplus to requirements. This vehicle would be eventually purchased by the East Lancs Railway, but whilst we were there we saw a rather strange looking van at the end of a siding which turned out to be a Ferry Van, something we had never even heard of before. The shed foreman allowed us to inspect the vehicle and provided a contact at Centrac Ltd; the owners. Following confirmation that B889011 was available for purchase, two of our Group members jointly funded the asking price, and the easiest transport operation we have ever been involved with took place. Strange, how sometimes you can end up with something completely different than originally intended.

Current status : Completely restored, apart from the transfers and decals, which are in store awaiting attention. As with the PMV, this vehicle has seen service in freight charters and Galas on the ELR. Looking rather tired, it could possibly be re-painted before the transfers etc are attended to.

CCTs M97405 & M94442

Both these vehicles were “spotted” on our visit to Chester early in `98, and resultantly pursued to form a Group parcels train, since we already had most of the other vehicles required for the formation of such. Extensive detective work revealed the owners to be North West Trains Ltd; and once again our silky negotiation skills brought them into our possession. Both were built in Earlstown, just down the road from Bury. Once again we used Alleleys for the transportation, and the crew on this occasion showed every bit of their experience. The site area where the vehicles were located can only be described as a major obstacle course, and a disaster waiting to happen. With scaffolding towers, low slung cables and very narrow access in abundance, this would be a supreme test of skill which they passed with flying colours.

Current status : M97405 has been completely restored, and is a credit to the guys who put a tremendous amount of time and effort in producing such a high standard. M94442 is being used as a stores vehicle for the foreseeable future.

BG M80788

Again another vehicle from Chester, but initially formed part of a package deal negotiated by the East Lancs Railway. Considered to be surplus to requirements following transportation to Bury, it was purchased by Group members to be an integral part of the parcels train.

Current status : Awaiting restoration.

GUV E86654

The final piece of the jigsaw puzzle to complete the parcels train. This vehicle had resided at Bury for several years, owned by a small consortium, and had never seen any attempts at restoration. When approached by some of our members as to the availability of it, they agreed to an amicable settlement.

Current status: Complete, awaiting final paint and C&W Dept clearance.

C&W Summary

We hope you have enjoyed reading about our escapades into the world of carriage and wagon. This is an important part of Railway Heritage, and whilst not the most glamorous, can still be an extremely rewarding experience. Please do not be put off by all the searching, negotiating, planning and execution that goes into each acquisition – this can be fun, and create new friendships along the way. If you fancy it, go for it, you may never get another chance and will be left saying “if only”.

For the time being we do not envisage any more rolling stock to be acquisitioned, since there is a great deal of work to do on our existing fleet. However, a six wheel milk tank would be nice! Our main aim is to have as many vehicles completely restored as possible to be hauled by our flagship, 73156, when she visits The ELR at  Bury. Please feel free to pass comment on anything you have read.

For information please contact Ian Bartlett on 01772 620115. (updated March 2009)