This former Travelling College coach, as initially painted green. It was subsequently re-painted maroon, but an overhaul in 2003 saw it return again to green.
Richard Salmon
Although none of the three BR Mark I Second Open coaches in our fleet were ever allocated to the Southern, one vehicle (5024) from this Lot and a number of similar vehicles from a previous Lot were transferred from the WR in 1964. These vehicles, with wider seats, double-glazed, aluminium framed windows, laminate-faced panelling and fluorescent lighting, appeared significantly more modern internally than those diagram 93 vehicles already in the SR fleet. However, the lighting in these carriages often emitted an irritating, high-pitched "whistle" from the ceiling-mounted lighting inverters! The SR allocated carriages were generally used for Special Traffic (excursions etc.) on the South Western Division.
M4957 was built with Commonwealth cast bogies and dual (steam and electric) heating for the LM Region. It spent most of its service life on the LMR, being based at Liverpool (Edge Hill) and Derby (Etches Park) in the early 1980's. By 1988 it had been transferred to Old Oak Common for Intercity special traffic work. In 1989 it (in company with 4941 and 5034) was in the Intercity Charter and Special Services "spare" (held for re-use) pool.
4957 was one of twelve carriages modified in 1989 to form the "Travelling College" train, which, it was intended, should carry parties of school-children around the country on educational tours. The venture was commercially unsuccessful, and the Bluebell subsequently bought all twelve vehicles. Three of the coaches, including this one, were used as lecture rooms, and whilst significantly altered from their BR condition, retained their seats. We were thus able to return them to traffic relatively easily. Although it was repainted in 1994, no major structural repairs were carried out at that time.
It received major structural renewal in 2003, enabling it to be now considered part of the long-term passenger fleet, although with its travelling college interior, is not a coach which we will use a great deal except on maybe a dozen days a year when we need the extra capacity.
See also the page for this coach's 2003 overhaul.
© Copyright April 1995 by Richard Salmon, with update April 2008 from Martin Skrzetuszewski.