Historic Carriage Returns to Traffic
An historic carriage, dating from 1922, and which formed part of the very last train at the end of steam in BR days in 1966, is rejoining the vintage carriage fleet and re-entering traffic at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, following extensive restoration and repair.
Former London Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSCR) brake carriage No. 4168 operated in passenger trains on the Island right up until the end of steam and formed part of the last steam train from Shanklin to Ryde on 31st December 1966. Following the end of steam it was acquired for preservation by then fledgling IW Steam Railway where it was a mainstay of the Steam Railway’s passenger fleet during the 1970s and 80s, before being withdrawn in 1990.
After many years awaiting repair, the extensive overhaul of No. 4168 has been completed by the Steam Railway's Carriage & Wagon department, headed by C&W Supervisor Gary Walker.
The Overhaul Work
Following withdrawal from service in 1990 for underframe repairs, the body was removed from the underframe to allow the underframe to be fully assessed. It was found to require an extensive rebuild with much replacement of steelwork needed. This work was carried out during 2008.
The old battery boxes were found to be life expired so two new ones were constructed and fitted.
The wheelsets were found to require new tyres, LBSCR wheelsets have a different journal size to most other types. To provide a spare set of compatible wheelsets an LNWR underframe was acquired to donate its wheelsets to 4168. When finances permit the old wheelsets will be sent away for new tyres to be fitted.
While the body was sat on its accommodation underframe the opportunity was taken to renew large sections of body framing. One bottom stringer had half of its length replaced, a corner post was replaced, every one of the 18 doors were fully rebuilt, and a complete new floor was fitted in the van section.
The body and underframe were reunited in late 2008, which allowed further work to be undertaken. The body was fully repanelled, the roof recanvased, all compartments repainted, grained and varnished, and seats recovered.
The bogies have had new liners fitted to the hornguides, all brake linkages have had new pins and bushes manufactured and fitted. New spring hanger pins were manufactured and fitted.
4168 successfully completed its first run along the line on the evening of 5th May 2011.
History
Built at Lancing works in 1922 on an underframe built in 1905 as SR No 3870. Moved to the Island in May 1938 and renumbered in the Island series as 4168. For approximately 10 years it was part of set 502 which was used on the Bembridge branch. It was then used as a spare brake until the Newport line was closed and was formed into a Ventnor line set.
4168 was used in the last steam hauled service on the Island on the evening of 31st December 1966. It was then acquired by the Wight Locomotive Society in 1967 and was moved to Havenstreet with all the other rescued rolling stock in January 1971, to begin its new life as part of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. For many years it was used in every train on the Steam Railway, as it was the only brake coach available for use.