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Passenger Carrying Coaches
‘The
Royal Wessex’
(1951 - 1964)
|
Locomotive
no.10000 hauling the Down 'The Royal Wessex' in 1951. |
The
Royal Wessex
‘The Royal Wessex’
service was introduced by British Railways as one of its ‘flagship’ services
conveying people to the Festival of Britain. Whilst the train was to be formed
using newly-constructed Mk1 coaches the service followed Southern practice with
multiple-portions; these started from Weymouth, Swanage
and Bournemouth West.
With the definitive article in its title, the
inaugural run of ‘The Royal Wessex’ took place on Thursday, 3rd May
1951; this being the day before the Festival of Britain opened to the public.
The train ran Mondays to Saturdays, the stock being spare at Bournemouth West
on Sundays.
Upon introduction, the train included a triplet dining set formed of RFO
(S9), RK (S80009) and RTO (S1006) in the Bournemouth West portion. However, with
a lack of demand for full-dining service this triplet set was replaced by ‘At
the sign of the Green Man’ Bulleid Tavern car
pair after January 1952.
Festival of
Britain emblem
(Abram Games)
Festival
of Britain
(1951)
The Festival of Britain was initially intended to
mark the 100 years since the Great Exhibition of 1851, but with Britain’s towns
and cities still shewing the scars of war there was now an aim of promoting the
feeling of recovery.
|
Festival
of Britain Exhibition, 1951 View
of the Exhibition site under construction (on Wednesday, 21st
February 1951) north along York Road from the corner of Chicheley Street. The
old Shot Tower is visible in the background. © Ben Brooksbank (Geograph/CC-by-SA) |
Celebrating British industry, arts and science and
intended to inspire thought of a better Britain, the Festival of Britain opened
to the public on Friday, 4th May 1951. Whilst the main focus
was on London’s South Bank (on a
27-acre former bomb-site close to Waterloo station) there were celebrations and fairs in different parts of the
country.
|
With the site separated by the elevated railway line from
Waterloo East onto Charing Cross Riverbridge this
was an artist’s impression of the Festival of Britain. (Leonard Bentley) |
Across a five-month period, some 8.5 million visited
the South Bank site with the Festival of Britain closing in September 1951 and
the area being rapidly cleared; only the Royal Festival Hall remains.
|
Brand new S80009 sandwiched between Eastern stock at Doncaster
North (up-side) awaiting delivery to the Southern Region from BR Doncaster
Works during May 1951. Just visible is the tower of St George’s Church; all
other buildings long gone in favour of a shopping centre and its car park. Within the four-foot of the Up
Independent Passenger No.1 platform road a platelayer performs his duties;
this being in the days long before hi-visibility vests. Shunt DN103
controlled a crossing to the Up & Down Mains. ©
Mike King collection |
Memo
dated 16th April 1951
The following is provided courtesy of the Bluebell Railway Archive.
Page
1
Page
2
Page
3
Page
4
|
Locomotive no.10201 (formerly
displayed as part of The Festival of Britain) hauls the 4.35pm 'The Royal
Wessex' express from Waterloo to Weymouth along the Down Fast through West
Byfleet station on Saturday, 11th July 1953. The middle portion
(two coaches) went to Swanage and rear dining section (six coaches) for
Bournemouth West. |
3rd
May 1951
Vehicles were in
originally Crimson Lake and Cream but set numbers were not allocated. The train
consisted of three portions formed of the initial tranche of BR Standard Mk1
stock. These were:
|
Portion |
Description |
No. |
Diag. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seats |
1 |
2 |
|
Weymouth |
BTK |
34157 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
TK |
24169 |
146 |
- |
48 |
|
|
CK |
15023 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
CK |
15021 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BTK |
34158 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Swanage |
CK |
15022 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BTK |
34155 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Bournemouth West |
BTK |
34159 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
RTO |
1006 |
56 |
- |
48 |
|
|
RK |
80009 |
700 |
- |
- |
|
|
RFO |
9 |
36 |
42 |
|
|
|
FK |
13003 |
116 |
42 |
- |
|
|
BTK |
34156 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
‡ excluding dining accommodation |
|
|
Total‡ |
114 |
222 |
As of 10th September 1951, the working (no.33) for
the stock was:
(departure times given unless shew
otherwise)
|
Departing
from |
Time |
|
|
a.m. |
|
Weymouth |
7.34 |
|
Dorchester South |
7.49 |
|
Swanage |
7.38 |
|
Corfe Castle |
7.49 |
|
Wareham |
8.13 |
|
Poole |
8.25 |
|
Bournemouth West. |
8.20 |
|
Bournemouth
Central |
8.40 |
|
Southampton
Central |
9.15 |
|
Winchester City |
9.37 |
|
Waterloo (arr) |
10.50 |
|
Waterloo |
11†8 |
|
|
p.m. |
|
Clapham
Yard |
3†53 |
|
Waterloo |
4.35 |
|
Winchester City |
5.48 |
|
Southampton
Central |
6.7 |
|
Bournemouth
Central |
6.52 |
|
Bournemouth West (arr) |
7.13 |
|
Poole |
7.10 |
|
Wareham
(arr) |
7.21 |
|
Corfe Castle |
7.42 |
|
Swanage (arr) |
7.52 |
|
Dorchester South |
7.43 |
|
Weymouth (arr) |
7.55 |
|
|
† denotes ECS |
There were slight
alterations to the ECS (empty coaching stock) timings over the years but the workings essentially remained the same.
|
BTK
S34158 at Clapham Junction on 21st September 1951. ©
Denis Cullum (Mike King collection) |
Memo
dated 9th May 1951
The following is provided courtesy of the Bluebell Railway Archive.
|
G.W.
Pepper Esq |
L.G.
Durham |
|
Bulleid Tavern Car ©
Joe Kent (Glen Woods collection) |
January
1952
The ‘Green Man’
The first change to
the formation occurred in January 1952 when the triplet dining set (S1006 +
S80009 + S9) was replaced with Bulleid Tavern Car set
‘At the sign of the Green Man’ (S7898S) + S7840S.
|
Portion |
Description |
No. |
Diag. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seats |
1 |
2 |
|
Weymouth |
BTK |
34157 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
TK |
24169 |
146 |
- |
48 |
|
|
CK |
15023 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
CK |
15021 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BTK |
34158 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Swanage |
CK |
15022 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BTK |
34155 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Bournemouth West |
BTK |
34159 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
RKB |
7898 |
2663 |
12* |
- |
|
|
RC |
7840 |
2664 |
18 |
36 |
|
|
FK |
13003 |
116 |
42 |
- |
|
|
BTK |
34156 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
‡ excluding dining accommodation |
|
|
Total‡ |
114 |
222 |
1952
Overhaul
During the winter of
1952-53 the Mk1 coaches were taken out of service for overhaul, repainting
/revarnishing and it was erroneously reported in the January 1953 Railway
Observer that The Royal Wessex stock had been allocated set numbers 884, 885
and 886.
A letter (from a Mr.
Willgoss) correcting the situation was published in
the May 1953 issue:
‘There is no question of the original stock of this
train being given set numbers. Sets 884-86 are B.R. 4-coach sets in the series
866-891. Certain parts of the three sets in question were, however, used in the
“Royal Wessex” in the absence of the original stock, which was passing through
works for overhaul. These three sets were not used complete, but the Weymouth
Portion consisted of the whole of set 884 plus one CK of set 886; the Swanage
portion of one BTK and one CK from set 885; and the Bournemouth portion of the
two BTK’s of set 886 plus one SR post-war FK and the TO, Restaurant and Tavern
Cars (The Green Man) being retained.
On the return of the original stock of the train,
most of which I observed working on the 16th
Dec., 1952 sets 884-886 resumed their normal 4-coach formations. I might point
out that the return of S34157 and S13003 from works was somewhat delayed (I did
not observe these coaches running in the train until 24th Jan., 1953). From 16th Dec.,
1952, until this time, the SR FK was retained in the Bournemouth portion and a
green SR semi-open BTK (S4276) worked in the Swanage portion.’
The CLC-liveried
Eastleigh-built 4 Cor BR Mk1 sets 884 to 886 described were as follows:
|
Set |
Date
|
BTK |
CK |
TK |
BTK |
Outshopped
Green |
|
884 |
1-Sep-52 |
34269 |
15042 |
24320 |
34270 |
20-Nov-59 |
|
885 |
1-Sep-52 |
34271 |
15043 |
24321 |
34272 |
6-Dec-56 |
|
886 |
1-Sep-52 |
34273 |
15044 |
24322 |
34274 |
24-Jan-58 |
The 1952 & 1954
Lancing Works A2 exam outshopping dates for the Mk1 stock were as follows (‡fitted
with Murrell gangway shield during the A2 exam):
|
No. |
Type |
1952 |
1954 |
|
34157 |
BTK |
2-Dec-52 |
8-Dec-54 |
|
24169 |
TK |
9-Dec-52 |
2-Nov-54 |
|
15023 |
CK |
3-Dec-52 |
8-Dec-54 |
|
15021 |
CK |
3-Dec-52 |
13-Dec-54 |
|
34158 |
BTK |
2-Dec-52 |
3-Nov-54 |
|
15022 |
CK |
9-Dec-52 |
8-Nov-54 |
|
34155 |
BTK |
2-Dec-52 |
13-Apr-54‡ |
|
34159 |
BTK |
3-Dec-52 |
8-Nov-54 |
|
13003 |
FK |
2-Dec-52 |
21-Dec-54 |
|
34156 |
BTK |
2-Dec-52 |
25-May-54‡ |
The post-war
malachite green semi-open BTK S4276 was from set 818 (4276 + 5798 + 4275) which
had been outshopped from Lancing A2 exam 6th October 1952 along with
S4275 but not S5798 which entered Lancing Works for an A2 exam on 27th
February 1953 (outshopped 17th May 1953). Set 818 was outshopped BR
Green 4th September 1957 without receiving CLC-livery.
|
CK
S15021 at Clapham Junction on 21st September 1951. ©
Denis Cullum (Mike King collection) |
September
1955
The ‘Bull’
Outside the ‘works
visit’ working. the January 1952 formation lasted until September 1955 when the
Tavern Set was replaced by ‘At the sign of the Bull’ (S7895S) + S7839S.
By this time a Merchant Navy class locomotive was regularly rostered for this
heavy train.
|
Portion |
Description |
No. |
Diag. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seats |
1 |
2 |
|
Weymouth |
BTK |
34157 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
TK |
24169 |
146 |
- |
48 |
|
|
CK |
15023 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
CK |
15021 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BTK |
34158 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Swanage |
CK |
15022 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BTK |
34155 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Bournemouth West |
BTK |
34159 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
RKB |
7895 |
2663 |
12* |
- |
|
|
RC |
7839 |
2664 |
18 |
36 |
|
|
FK |
13003 |
116 |
42 |
- |
|
|
BTK |
34156 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
‡ excluding dining accommodation |
|
|
Total‡ |
114 |
222 |
|
BTK
S34159 at Clapham Junction on 21st September 1951. The
locomotive is E4 tank engine no.52500. ©
Denis Cullum (Mike King collection) |
17th
September 1956
The ‘Salutation’
On Sunday, 3rd June 1956 British Railways abolished
Second-class travel and immediately renamed Third-class to Second-class. Any
remaining Third-class ‘3’ on pre-nationalisation coach doors were removed;
usually at the next varnish (A2 exam). Consequentially a Third Open (TO) was
now classified Second Open (SO).
Note - the use of TSO (Tourist Second Open) started to appear in
the Appendix to CWN from July 1968.
By 17th
September 1956 Tavern car pairing ‘At the sign of the Bull’ (S7895S) +
S7839S had been replaced with ‘At the sign of the Salutation’ (S7896S) +
S7835S. Additionally, SO S3914 (which had been loose following a period in set
880) was included in the formation around this time.
|
Portion |
Description |
No. |
Diag. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seats |
1 |
2 |
|
Weymouth |
*BSK |
34157 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
*SK |
24169 |
146 |
- |
24 |
|
|
*CK |
15023 |
126 |
- |
48 |
|
|
CK |
15021 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
*BSK |
34158 |
181 |
24 |
18 |
|
Swanage |
CK |
15022 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BSK |
34155 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Bournemouth West |
BSK |
34159 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
RKB |
7896 |
2663 |
12* |
- |
|
|
RC |
7835 |
2664 |
18 |
36 |
|
|
FK |
13003 |
116 |
42 |
- |
|
|
SO |
3914 |
93 |
- |
64 |
|
|
BSK |
34156 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
‡ excluding dining accommodation |
|
|
Total‡ |
114 |
286 |
The note
appertaining to the asterisk, against vehicle type, was shown indicating that
vehicles would be taken out of service for overhaul and repainting.
*During the Winter these vehicles will replaced by a 4-set,
Nos. 877 /891, with similar seating capacity.
The CLC-liveried
Eastleigh-built 4 Cor BR Mk1 sets 877 & 891 were as follows:
|
Set |
Date
|
BTK |
CK |
TK |
BTK |
Outshopped
Green |
|
877 |
1-Jun-52 |
34255 |
15035 |
24313 |
34256 |
18-Jan-58 |
|
891 |
1-Nov-52 |
34283 |
15049 |
24327 |
34284 |
3-Feb-59 |
|
BSK
S34156 at Clapham Junction after repainting into Green
livery. ©
Brian Haresnape (Mike King collection) |
16th
September 1957
The ‘Green Man’
This situation
prevailed until around early summer 1957 when all the stock (including the
Tavern Set) had been repainted green and ‘At the sign of the Green Man’
(S7898S) + S7840S returned to the train:
|
Portion |
Description |
No. |
Diag. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seats |
1 |
2 |
|
Weymouth |
BSK |
34157 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
SK |
24169 |
146 |
- |
48 |
|
|
CK |
15023 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
CK |
15021 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BSK |
34158 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Swanage |
CK |
15022 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BSK |
34155 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Bournemouth West |
BSK |
34159 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
RKB |
7898 |
2663 |
12* |
- |
|
|
RC |
7840 |
2664 |
18 |
36 |
|
|
FK |
13003 |
116 |
42 |
- |
|
|
SO |
3914 |
93 |
- |
64 |
|
|
BSK |
34156 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
‡ excluding dining accommodation |
|
|
Total‡ |
114 |
286 |
|
FK
S13003 at Clapham Junction on 21st September 1951. ©
Denis Cullum (Mike King collection) |
9th
June 1958
The ‘White Horse’
The Appendices for 9th
June 1958 & 15th September 1958 show that the tavern set had
once again changed; the ‘At the sign of the White Horse’ (S7892S) +
S7838S being the booked vehicles used during this period.
|
Portion |
Description |
No. |
Diag. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seats |
1 |
2 |
|
Weymouth |
BSK |
34157 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
SK |
24169 |
146 |
- |
48 |
|
|
CK |
15023 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
CK |
15021 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BSK |
34158 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Swanage |
CK |
15022 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BSK |
34155 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Bournemouth West |
BSK |
34159 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
RKB |
7892 |
2663 |
12* |
- |
|
|
RC |
7838 |
2664 |
18 |
36 |
|
|
FK |
13003 |
116 |
42 |
- |
|
|
SO |
3914 |
93 |
- |
64 |
|
|
BSK |
34156 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
‡ excluding dining accommodation |
|
|
Total‡ |
114 |
286 |
As of 15th September 1958, the timings were:
(departure times given unless stated otherwise)
|
Departing
from |
Time |
|
|
a.m. |
|
Weymouth |
7.34 |
|
Dorchester South |
7.49 |
|
Wool |
8.1 |
|
Swanage |
7.38 |
|
Corfe Castle |
7.49 |
|
Wareham |
8.13 |
|
Poole |
8.25 |
|
Bournemouth West. |
8.20 |
|
Bournemouth
Central |
8.40 |
|
Southampton
Central |
9.15 |
|
Winchester City |
9.37 |
|
Waterloo (arr) |
10.50 |
|
Waterloo
to Clapham Yard |
11†8 |
|
|
p.m. |
|
Clapham
Yard |
3†53 |
|
Waterloo |
4.35 |
|
Winchester City |
5.48 |
|
Southampton
Central |
6.7 |
|
Bournemouth
Central |
6.52 |
|
Bournemouth West (arr) |
7.13 |
|
Poole |
7.10 |
|
Wareham
(arr) |
7.21 |
|
Corfe Castle |
7.42 |
|
Swanage (arr) |
7.52 |
|
Wool |
- |
|
Dorchester South |
7.43 |
|
Weymouth (arr) |
7.55 |
|
|
† denotes ECS |
15th
June 1959
The ‘Green Man’
In 1959 the separate
appendices for the South Western were discontinued and a regional appendix was
issued. Although the ‘The Royal Wessex’ formation was given in full, including
the ‘Tavern Set’ the Restaurant and Buffet Car workings were no longer
included, these were contained in a separate supplement. The ‘At the sign of
the Green Man’ (S7898S) + S7840S returned to the train.
|
Portion |
Description |
No. |
Diag. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seats |
1 |
2 |
|
Weymouth |
BSK |
34157 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
SK |
24169 |
146 |
- |
48 |
|
|
CK |
15023 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
CK |
15021 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BSK |
34158 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Swanage |
CK |
15022 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BSK |
34155 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Bournemouth West |
BSK |
34159 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
RKB |
7898 |
2663 |
12* |
- |
|
|
RC |
7840 |
2664 |
18 |
36 |
|
|
FK |
13003 |
116 |
42 |
- |
|
|
SO |
3914 |
93 |
- |
64 |
|
|
BSK |
34156 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
‡ excluding dining accommodation |
|
|
Total‡ |
114 |
286 |
|
Mk1 Dining Third – sadly not
‘The Royal Wessex’ S1006 but instead S1010 at Exeter Central on 23rd
August 1963. Built at York February 1951, S1010 was transferred from the WR
on 29th December 1962. Note the external sidelight beading
received during an E4 exam /Green paint outshopped Lancing Works 16th
May 1963. It returned to the WR on 19th April 1969. ©
Ted West (Mike King collection) |
2nd
November 1959
The ‘Green Man’
The formation remained unaltered.
|
Portion |
Description |
No. |
Diag. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seats |
1 |
2 |
|
Weymouth |
BSK |
34157 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
SK |
24169 |
146 |
- |
48 |
|
|
CK |
15023 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
CK |
15021 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BSK |
34158 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Swanage |
CK |
15022 |
126 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
BSK |
34155 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
Bournemouth West |
BSK |
34159 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
|
RKB |
7898 |
2663 |
12* |
- |
|
|
RC |
7840 |
2664 |
18 |
36 |
|
|
FK |
13003 |
116 |
42 |
- |
|
|
SO |
3914 |
93 |
- |
64 |
|
|
BSK |
34156 |
181 |
- |
24 |
|
‡ excluding dining accommodation |
|
|
Total‡ |
114 |
286 |
Summer
1960
The ‘Green Man’
From 1960 the
allocated dining pair was not shown in the appendices. However, the same dining
pair were noted (by the SC&WS) running in the train in the summer. During
the winter timetable, commencing 12th September 1960, again S7898S
(formerly ‘At the sign of the Green Man’) + S7840S were shown as the
‘booked pair’ within the restaurant and buffet car supplement.
Summer
1961
The ‘White Horse’
The formation
remained the same in 1961 and the catering pair were noted as S7892S (formerly
‘At the sign of the White Horse’) + S7833S on July 3rd 1961.
|
‘Loose’
Bulleid BSK 2529 with carriage roundel for ©
Ted West (Mike King collection) |
Summer
1962
In March 1962 Mk1 RB 1764 was noted on the service.
Summer 1962 saw the pairing of RFO S7678 with RB S1764; these replaced the
‘Tavern Car’ pair.
The Mk1 second class
compartments sat three per side; these being fitted with arm rests (most of the
later Mk1 builds for the Southern Region were not equipped with arm-rests and
were classified as seating four-per-side). After complaints of overcrowding on
the Up trip the seat backs were modified to remove the arm-rest.
As a means of increasing seating capacity, from 1st
April 1962 the workings of The Royal Wessex were taken over by Bulleid stock.
|
Portion |
Set
No. |
Notes |
|
|
|
|
Weymouth |
858 |
5 Cor ‘H’ set 858 was allocated to the ‘The Royal Wessex’;
possible following outshopping from Lancing on 20th March 1962. |
|||
|
Swanage |
864 |
3 Cor ‘H’ set 864 reduced to 2-set c.Jun-62
for use on ‘The Royal Wessex’ services with BSK 2529 becoming ‘Loose’.
Set disbanded June 1963 with CK 5922 to set 858 and BSK 2530
to ‘Loose’. |
|||
|
Bournemouth West |
291 |
1947 Bournemouth line ‘G’ six-car dining set. |
|||
Formation from 1st
April 1962. All the Bulleid vehicles were specially shopped and the BR roundel applied; the exception being that
the Mk1 RB did not have the roundel. BSK is the semi-open type.
|
Portion |
Description |
No. |
Diag. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seats |
1 |
2 |
|
Weymouth |
BSK |
2517 |
2123 |
- |
48 |
|
(set 858) |
SK |
100 |
2019 |
- |
64 |
|
|
CK |
5916 |
2318 |
24 |
24 |
|
|
CK |
5895 |
2318 |
24 |
24 |
|
|
BSK |
2518 |
2123 |
- |
48 |
|
Swanage |
CK |
5922 |
2318 |
24 |
24 |
|
(set 864) |
BSK |
2530 |
2123 |
- |
48 |
|
Bournemouth West |
BSK |
4351 |
2123 |
- |
48 |
|
(set 291) |
CK |
5741 |
2318 |
24 |
24 |
|
|
RFO |
7678 |
2507 |
42* |
- |
|
|
RB |
1762 |
24 |
- |
23 |
|
|
SO |
1452 |
2017 |
- |
64 |
|
|
BSK |
4352 |
2123 |
- |
48 |
|
‡ excluding dining accommodation |
|
|
Total‡ |
114 |
464 |
|
* 24 seats for
dining |
|
|
|
|
|
Formation
of Mk1 sets
(572 to 574)
Following the
displacement of this original Mk 1 stock from The Royal Wessex the BSK and CK
coaches (with the addition of BSK 34246) were formed into three 3-sets. Seating was modified so as
to conform to the standard SR layout giving twenty-four first and
eighty-eight seconds.
Formations were as
follows (all other vehicles became Loose).
|
Set
No. |
BSK |
CK |
BSK |
|
572 |
34156 |
15023 |
34157 |
|
573 |
34158 |
15022 |
34159 |
|
574 |
34155 |
15021 |
34246 |
June
1963
From June 1963 the
train did not carry a Swanage portion. The Weymouth portion was increased to
six vehicles as partial compensation; the booked diner for the winter timetable
was S1723.
|
Portion |
Description |
No. |
Diag. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seats |
1 |
2 |
|
Weymouth |
BSK |
2517 |
2123 |
- |
48 |
|
(set 858) |
SK |
100 |
2019 |
- |
64 |
|
|
CK |
5916 |
2318 |
24 |
24 |
|
|
CK |
5922 |
2318 |
24 |
24 |
|
|
CK |
5895 |
2123 |
24 |
24 |
|
|
BSK |
2518 |
2123 |
- |
48 |
|
Bournemouth West |
BSK |
4351 |
2123 |
- |
48 |
|
(set 291) |
CK |
5741 |
2318 |
24 |
24 |
|
|
RFO |
7678 |
2507 |
42* |
- |
|
|
RB |
1762 |
24 |
- |
23 |
|
|
SO |
1452 |
2017 |
- |
64 |
|
|
BSK |
4352 |
2123 |
- |
48 |
|
‡ excluding dining accommodation |
|
|
Total‡ |
114 |
416 |
|
* 24 seats for
dining |
|
|
|
|
|
June
1964
From June 1964 ‘The
Royal Wessex’ ceased to have any dedicated stock and the 08:20 ex.
Bournemouth West and the 16:35 ex. Waterloo were covered by two different sets
of vehicles.
|
Official
BR portrait of CK S15021; this being one of the ©
British Railway (Mike King collection) |
Liveries
(& Notes)
When permission was given for the Southern Region to return to Green
for its Corridor Passenger stock it rapidly embarked on a programme to repaint
at the A2 varnish & repair for many vehicles in order to
accelerate the return to Green. The last Crimson Lake & Cream vehicle (last
of an eight-set) outshopped from Lancing carriage works on 17th July
1956 (the first BR Green set was outshopped earlier on 11th July
1956).
All ‘The Royal
Wessex’ BR Standard Mk1 vehicles carried the BR carriage roundel from the
time that they were repainted into Green end-1957. However, being of SR origin the ‘Tavern Sets’
did not carry carriage roundels.
Build dates are as
stated on the CM&EE Record Cards; quite possibly some of these being their
date into Southern Region stock.
Mk1 vehicles
|
No. |
Type |
Lot no. |
Build date |
Builder |
Outshopped |
|
9 |
RFO |
30082 |
12-May-51 |
BR York |
14-Dec-61 |
|
1006 |
RTO |
30014 |
12-May-51 |
BR York |
28-Nov-57 |
|
1762 |
RB |
30636 |
Jan-62* |
Pressed Steel |
Jan-62 (new) |
|
3914 |
SO |
30086 |
Jul-54 |
BR Eastleigh |
19-Feb-57 |
|
13003 |
FK |
30019 |
12-May-51 |
BR Swindon |
19-Feb-57 |
|
15021 |
CK |
30022 |
22-Mar-51 |
BR Eastleigh |
19-Feb-57 |
|
15022 |
CK |
30022 |
22-Mar-51 |
BR Eastleigh |
19-Feb-57 |
|
15023 |
CK |
30022 |
22-Mar-51 |
BR Eastleigh |
19-Feb-57 |
|
24169 |
TK |
30002 |
19-Mar-51 |
BR Derby |
19-Feb-57 |
|
34155 |
BTK |
30025 |
24-Mar-51 |
BR Wolverton |
19-Feb-57 |
|
34156 |
BTK |
30025 |
24-Mar-51 |
BR Wolverton |
19-Feb-57 |
|
34157 |
BTK |
30025 |
7-Apr-51 |
BR Wolverton |
19-Feb-57 |
|
34158 |
BTK |
30025 |
7-Apr-51 |
BR Wolverton |
19-Feb-57 |
|
34159 |
BTK |
30025 |
7-Apr-51 |
BR Wolverton |
19-Feb-57 |
|
80009 |
RC |
30018 |
12-May-51 |
BR Doncaster |
24-Mar-58 |
|
No. |
Notes |
|
|
|
Mk
l Stock |
|
|
Triplet Dining Set |
||||
|
9 |
RFO First Saloon Part of the CLC-liveried triplet dining set Built as RFO S9 BR York 12th May 1951 (diag.36)
CLC-livery for ‘The Royal Wessex’ triplet dining set used during 1951. Loose from January 1952, S9 was amongst the last Mk1 coaches to leave Lancing Works in CLC
livery (5th May 1956 following A2 varnish) Lancing started
painting coaches in for routine A2 varnish into Green. Lancing Works 30th January 1958 outshopped 10th
March 1958 (damage repair). Into set 560 28th August 1961 so to Lancing (E4) Green-livery 14th
December 1961. To Loose June 1964 thence transferred to WR 8th
August 1964, |
||||
|
80009 |
RB Kitchen Car
(anthracite /electric). Part of the CLC-liveried triplet dining set From 30th June 1952 (working no. 39) 80009 was
then used as follows: SX (Not Mondays and Fridays), 10.12 a.m.
Bournemouth West to Waterloo and 6.30 p.m. Waterloo to Bournemouth West. Mondays and Fridays only, 09†40 a.m. ECS
Bournemouth West to Bournemouth Central for 10. 33 a.m. Bournemouth Central
to Waterloo and 6.30 p.m. Waterloo to Bournemouth West. SO, 10.20 a.m. Bournemouth West to Waterloo and 1.30
p.m. Waterloo to Bournemouth West. SUO, spare at Bournemouth West. S80009 was amongst the
last Mk1 coaches to leave Lancing Works in CLC livery (5th May
1956 following A2 varnish) Lancing started painting coaches in for routine A2
varnish into Green. To ‘Loose’ June 1955 then set 290
(September 1960) working with S1006 and set 297 (August 1961) working with
S7684S before (spare August 1962). Withdrawn Bournemouth 11th July 1964. |
||||
|
1006 |
RTO Dining Saloon
(Third Class) Part of the CLC-liveried triplet dining set CM&EE Record Card specifically states
‘to work with 80009 & 9’. |
||||
|
|
Catering Vehicles |
||||
|
1762 |
RB
Restaurant Buffet New to SR January 1962 in Green* and allocated to ‘The
Royal Wessex’ June 1962 thence Loose and on to LMR 1973 (else ER in
1974). |
||||
|
|
Non-Catering
Vehicles |
||||
|
3914 |
TO Third Open Ex.880 set September 1956. Outshopped Eastleigh Works in Maroon livery 23rd
August 1963 for transfer to WR. Returned to SR (1967) before final transfer
to WR (1973). |
||||
|
13003 |
FK Corridor First Into set 517 June 1963 thence Loose. Scrapped in 1990. |
||||
|
15021 |
CK Corridor Composite Displayed at Marylebone 15th March 1951. Into set 574 May 1962. Transferred to LMR. Withdrawn at York. |
||||
|
15022 |
CK Corridor Composite Into set 573 May 1962. |
||||
|
15023 |
CK Corridor Composite Into set 572 May 1962. Transferred to WR, |
||||
|
24169 |
TK Corridor Third Arm-rests removed 1962. Outshopped Lancing Works in Maroon livery 12th
September 1963 for transfer to WR. |
||||
|
34155 |
BTK
Corridor Brake Third Outshopped A2 Lancing with Murrell gangway shields 13th
April 1954. Arm-rests removed 1962. Into set 574 May 1963 thence ‘Loose’ June 1966. Withdrawn at Clapham Junction June 1968 in Green livery. |
||||
|
34156 |
BTK
Corridor Brake Third Outshopped Lancing with Murrell gangway shields 25th
May 1954. Arm-rests removed 1962. Into set 572 May 1963 thence ‘Loose’ June 1966. Withdrawn at Micheldever 8th
May 1971. |
||||
|
34157 |
BTK
Corridor Brake Third Arm-rests removed 1962. Into set 572 May 1963 thence ‘Loose’ June 1966. Withdrawn at Clapham Junction June 1968 in Green livery. |
||||
|
34158 |
BTK
Corridor Brake Third Arm-rests removed 1962. Into set 573 May 1963 thence ‘Loose’ June 1966. Withdrawn by November 1973. |
||||
|
34159 |
BTK
Corridor Brake Third Arm-rests removed 1962. Into set 573 May 1963 thence ‘Loose’ June 1966. Withdrawn Micheldever 20th
December 1969 in Green livery. |
||||
Bulleid stock
|
No. |
Type |
Window vents |
Build date |
Builder |
Outshopped |
|
100 |
SK |
15” |
8-Sep-50 |
Eastleigh |
3-Feb-58 |
|
1452 |
SO |
10¼” |
18-Sep-47* |
Eastleigh |
27-Jan-58 |
|
2517 |
BSK |
15” |
15-Apr-51 |
Eastleigh |
16-Jul-57 |
|
2518 |
BSK |
15” |
15-Apr-51 |
Eastleigh |
16-Jul-57 |
|
2530 |
BSK |
15” |
1-May-51 |
Eastleigh |
29-Dec-59 |
|
4351 |
BSK |
10¼” |
18-Sep-47* |
Eastleigh |
27-Jan-58 |
|
4352 |
BSK |
10¼” |
18-Sep-47* |
Eastleigh |
27-Jan-58 |
|
5741 |
CK |
10¼” |
18-Sep-47* |
Eastleigh |
27-Jan-58 |
|
5895 |
CK |
15” |
23-Dec-49 |
Eastleigh |
18-Dec-57 |
|
5916 |
CK |
15” |
13-Apr-51 |
Eastleigh |
20-Aug-57 |
|
5922 |
CK |
15” |
1-May-51 |
Eastleigh |
29-Dec-59 |
|
7678 |
RFO |
10¼” |
18-Sep-47* |
Eastleigh |
27-Jan-58 |
|
7835 |
RC |
15” |
21-May-49 |
Eastleigh |
28-Oct-57 |
|
7838 |
RC |
15” |
16-Jun-49 |
Eastleigh |
13-Nov-57 |
|
7839 |
RC |
15” |
17-Jun-49 |
Eastleigh |
17-Apr-57 |
|
7840 |
RC |
15” |
17-Jun-49 |
Eastleigh |
26-Oct-56 |
|
7892 |
RKB |
15” |
21-May-49 |
Eastleigh |
5-Dec-57 |
|
7895 |
RKB |
15” |
21-May-49 |
Eastleigh |
23-Apr-57 |
|
7896 |
RKB |
15” |
16-Jun-49 |
Eastleigh |
26-Nov-57 |
|
7898 |
RKB |
15” |
17-Jun-49 |
Eastleigh |
6-Dec-56 |
|
No. |
Notes |
|
|
|
Bulleid Stock |
|
|
Tavern Car
pairings |
||||
|
7892 |
‘At the sign of the White Horse’ Tavern Car. RKB paired with 7838 (RC) in The Royal Wessex. Modernised from diag. no.2664 to 2665 Lancing Works outshopped
16th June 1959 and name deleted from official lists. Damage repaired Lancing Works 19th June 1962
outshopped 8th January 1963. Withdrawn ‘Loose’ January 1968. |
||||
|
7838 |
RC paired with 7892 (RKB) in The Royal Wessex. Modernised from diag. no.2664 to 2665 Lancing Works outshopped
18th June 1959. Side buffers fitted 24th October 1962. Withdrawn 1965 and scrapped by Birds (Bynea). |
||||
|
7895 |
‘At the sign of the Bull’
Tavern Car. RKB paired with 7839 (RC) in The Royal Wessex. Following A2 exam Lancing Works fitted with propane gas 25th
January 1955. Modernised from diag. no.2664 to 2665 Lancing Works outshopped
25th March 1960 and name deleted from official lists. Side buffers fitted 14th November 1962. Damage repaired Eastleigh Works 6th February 1964
outshopped 2nd March 1964. Withdrawn ‘Loose’ January 1967. |
||||
|
7839 |
RC paired with 7895 (RKB) in The Royal Wessex. Modernised from diag. no.2664 to 2665 Lancing Works outshopped
22nd March 1960. Withdrawn 1965 and scrapped by Birds (Bynea). |
||||
|
7896 |
‘At the sign of the Salutation’ Tavern Car. RKB paired with 7835 (RC) in The Royal Wessex. CM&EE Record Card states to work with 7837. Following A2 exam Lancing Works (outshopped 5th
January 1955 fitted with propane gas January 1955. Modernised from diag. no.2664 to 2665 Lancing Works outshopped
9th June 1959 and name deleted from official lists. Side buffers fitted 22nd November 1962. Withdrawn ‘Loose’ September 1967. |
||||
|
7835 |
RC paired with 7896 (RKB) in The Royal Wessex. Modernised from diag. no.2664 to 2665 Lancing Works outshopped
9th June 1959. Withdrawn 1965 and scrapped by Birds (Bynea). |
||||
|
7898 |
‘At the sign of the Green Man’ Tavern Car diag. no.2663. RKB paired with 7840 (RC) in The Royal Wessex. Following A2 exam Lancing Works fitted with propane gas
outshopped 20th December 1956. Modernised from diag. no.2664 to 2665 Lancing Works outshopped
7th January 1960 and name deleted from official lists. Damage repaired + A2 Lancing Works 25th January
1963 outshopped 25th March 1963. Withdrawn ‘Loose’ January 1968. |
||||
|
7840 |
RC
paired with 7898 (RKB) in The Royal Wessex. Modernised from diag. no.2664 to 2665 Lancing Works outshopped
6th January 1960. Withdrawn 27th February 1965 and scrapped by Birds
(Bynea). |
||||
|
|
Catering
Vehicles |
||||
|
7678 |
RFO new to set 291 in post-war Malachite 18th
September 1947. Outshopped CLC Lancing 28th January 1955. To ‘Loose’ June 1964. Withdrawn 27th February 1965. |
||||
|
|
Non-catering
Vehicles |
||||
|
100 |
TK
see history for Bulleid
set 858. |
||||
|
1452 |
SO new to set 291 in post-war Malachite Green* 18th
September 1947. Outshopped CLC Lancing 28th January 1955. To set 770 June 1964. |
||||
|
2517 |
BTK see history for Bulleid set
858. |
||||
|
2518 |
BTK see history for Bulleid set
858. |
||||
|
2530 |
BTK see history for Bulleid set
864. |
||||
|
4351 |
BTK new to set 291 in post-war Malachite Green* 18th
September 1947. Outshopped CLC Lancing 28th January 1955. To set 805 June 1964. |
||||
|
4352 |
BTK new to set 291 in post-war Malachite Green* 18th
September 1947. Outshopped CLC Lancing 28th January 1955. To set 865 June 1964. |
||||
|
5741 |
CK new to set 291 in post-war Malachite Green* 18th
September 1947. Outshopped CLC Lancing 28th January 1955. To set 769 June 1964. |
||||
|
5895 |
CK new ‘Loose’. Set 858 June 1962 to February 1965 thence
‘Loose’ Jun-65. Wdn Oct-67. |
||||
|
5916 |
CK see history for Bulleid set
858. |
||||
|
5922 |
CK see history for Bulleid set
858. Set 864 reduced to 2-set c.June
1962 for use on ‘The Royal Wessex’ services (Swanage portion) with BSK
2529 becoming ‘Loose’. Set disbanded June 1963 with CK 5922 to set 858 and
BSK 2530 to ‘Loose’. |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepared by Glen Woods with further research and editorial by
railway historian Colin Watts. Thanks to historical author Mike King (including
permission to use photographs from his collection) and the works of both
Gould & Parkin. |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recommended
reading is as follows: |
|||||
|
The Illustrated
History of Southern Coaches |
|||||
|
Bulleid’s
SR Steam Carriage Stock |
|||||
|
Southern
Coaches Survey – Pre-grouping and BR MK1 Stock |
|||||
|
Lancing
1956 |
|||||
Copyright BloodandCustard
Photographic Copyright as Indicated
(WITH GRATITUDE FOR USE)
