The Bluebell Railway has reported that Maunsell ‘Hastings’ Brake 3rd No 3687 is ready for traffic, and will enter service on Saturday, 31 May.

Work to restore the coach began in 1993. For several years, the work was carried out in the outdoors, with several major tasks completed, including repairing the body frame, replacing the steel panelling, applying a protective coat of paint, recreating the partitioning, making the panelling and mouldings, and clearing and painting the underframe.

In 2019, the coach was allocated space in the carriage works. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic stopped further work being carried out for a year.

The coach then remained in storage, while the Railway did not have the time available to work underneath the vehicle.

Since work resumed, the following tasks have been carried out:

• canvassing the roof
• adding vents and rainstrips
• applying several coats of paint
• finishing the exterior panelling in Maunsell’s mid-bronze green, including applying about ten coats of paint and varnish, and restoring ornate lining and lettering
• putting up the ceilings
• finishing all the varnishing
• trimming the seats in Green Jazz moquette
• plumbing and fitting out the lavatory compartment
• cleaning and painting the guard / luggage area
• overhauling the bogies
• renewing all the bushes in the brake system and suspension.
• modifying the suspension to accommodate the coil springs
• demodifying the vacuum brake system
• renewing the electrical system
• installing steam heaters
• upgrading piping
• overhauling and re-installing gangways and buffing gear.

A lot of volunteers have worked on the project, recently including the SR Coach Group team. Paid staff have also been involved.

The mainstay of the project for several years was David Wigley, who led the small group of people who carried out the outdoor work for more than two decades.

The Bluebell Railway has announced with great sadness that David died at the end of April, and so will not have the opportunity to ride in the carriage he worked so hard to restore.

The Railway describes David as a “stalwart” of the Carriage and Wagon Department for over five decades, calling his knowledge of SR coaches “encyclopaedic”.

David joined the railway in 1971, bringing Maunsell Brake Composite 6686 with him. The coach has been running in Bluebell’s operating fleet for many years. David also pressed the move to bring three other SR coaches to the railway, Bulleids 2515 & 1482 and Maunsell 5644.

After he passed the running of the Hastings Brake project to others, David remained active in sorting out the final details of the coach’s interior until late 2024.

The Blubell Railway sees 3687 as “a lasting reminder of David’s dedication to our railway over so many years.”

The Railway is also working on several locomotives, including Q Class 541 and 9F 92240.