Wagon 29 without her doors on the back of a service train. Picture and Builder Marc Humphreys The main coach fleet
The SNBR has 4 standard sets of coaches which do about 95% of all the revenue work. these coaches are all 8' long with a bench seat. Each set also contains a luggage van which for three of the sets are longer and wider than the normal coach. The sets are divided into 5 coaches and a luggage (giving each set a spare coach). Originally all the coaches were in the same wood stained livery, but with the arrival of the 3 large luggages, new heavier vacuum fitted bogies and a need to overhaul several of the coaches, the decision was made to place coaches into designated sets. The 4 sets are:
Blue with a grey stripe Was the first set to receive the new heavier bogies, with black SNBR lettering and numbering, the blues have been the hardest working set along with the greens since the "fixed" sets came into use. Blue coaches behind the Deltic
The "southern" green set this set retained the SNBR crest on the side, and is a proximation of a southern green. The luggage wagon has a red stripe on the top (one day it will be a buffet car!)Green coaches behind Sir Goss and visitor Tinkerbell.
The "heritage" set Completely stripped back to wood, this set was then turned out in a wood stain livery based on the original livery of the SNBR, although at present without the crest they will receive these in 2009, all fitted with the heavier bogies. the heritage set will also receive a new luggage coach, allowing its present standard length luggage coach to be rebuilt as a passenger coach. The new luggage to look right in the heritage set will be of standard body length but will be wider to accomodate the newer kiddy buggies!), this is expected into service in 2009.First completed heritage coach going for a spin behind Romulus
The Red set This set was previously the blood and custard set, but after the sale of two coaches to holycombe, this set is now receiving two new coaches, new heavier bogies and obviously a repaint into a Br style maroon livery with a yellow stripe similar to that on the blue set, expected to be in service in 2009/10. As yet no pictures exist.
The other coaches
Coach 24 is a composite luggage seat coach, also to the standard passenger coach length. This coach is turned out to match the heritage set. This coach is used for the smaller engines to be able to have luggage space when pulling a small train.
Roofed coaches: 2 roofed coaches are being finished and will be turned out in chocolate and cream, and a further 1 or 2 are planned, to make up a 16 seat wet weather train. The present two coaches use the frames and parts of the body from the original Cromar White coaches the railway opened with 1986. The old end seats have been turned into luggage space. The next 2 coaches will be constructed from the coach recovered from holycombe (designated coach 30). The metal work on this coach is rusted through, but the side panels are useable and will form the basis for these 2 additional coaches.
The American DRGWW wagons, these scale wagons were built to match the C19 locomotive Montezuma and are used to form a unique american train in the heart of kent. Pictures of these coaches can be found under the Montezuma page.
Wagons
The SNBR have a large contigency of wagons for freight work and break down duty.
Wagon 4 Originally a 15" 4 wheeled wagon this was re-gauged to 7 1/4" and donated to the railway in 1985/6. Extensively used to carry soil and ballast, she is the most used wagon by far. Now receiving new wheels and replacement wood, this well used wagon should return to service in 2009.
Wagon 28 Built to help replace the old sleepers in 1997. The wagon was made from the old roof of the water tower, scrap metal for the frames, and wheels and bogies no longer fit for passenger use (and still in use by this wagon). Total cost of the wagon was £36 for the bolts and 1 bearing (we didn't have 4 old ones!). The wagon is at present the main use wagon for spoil and ballast trains.
Wagon 29 As seen at the top of the page, this is a bogie enclosed wagon, which even has sides when needed. Used to transport tools (and sometimes as a guards van). The wagon was originally built a 4 wheeled wagon in a day, but then got a roof (well why not), bogies and concrete between the frames for stability.
Wagon 31 A 4 wheeled blue wagon with side opening doors, used for spoil transportation.
Wagon 32 A tall green and white 4 wheeled planked wagon that has a removeable seat, rarely used.
Wagon 33 A flat bed wagon used for transporting wheel barrows.
Wagon 34/FishFinger The fish finger uses bogies from the large luggages, otherwise it sits in the car park, purely a long ballast transportation device.
Wagon 35 Pictured above, a more sturdy and slightly longer 4 wheeled wagon built by Mr Dowd and Mr Dove. Also has hooks for bungie straps to battern down anything it might carry.
Wagon 36 L&B looking guards van, should be used with the completed enclosed coaches, presently waiting finishing.
