Last T stock for sale (Spa Valley)

The Spa Valley Railway is seeking to dispose of a unique pair of Metropolitan Railway T Stock coaches.

The T Stock was built in various batches by Metropolitan-Vickers and Birmingham RC&W for the Metropolitan Railway in 1927-31 for use on electric services from Baker Street and the City to Watford and Rickmansworth, operating as 6 coach multiple units.

In 1961, two withdrawn driving motors were converted to sleet locomotives (all remaining coaches of the type being scrapped). These were numbered ESL118A and ESL118B, having previously been 2758 and 2749 respectively. These were both of the later MW batch, the W indicating that Westinghouse Air Brakes were fitted. They survived in this role for nearly 20 years, whilst the remainder of the fleet was scrapped.
Both entered preservation in the early 80’s at the North Downs Steam Railway and subsequently moved to the Spa Valley Railway when the societies merged. The motors, plus much of the switchgear and cabling were removed prior to Spa Valley ownership. They do however retain Westinghouse controls in the cabs which enables basic push/pull / propelling movements with suitable air braked locomotives.

The coaches are steel framed but with significant amounts of teak used in the body frame and compartment interiors giving a real vintage feel. They are a suburban type coach, and originally had 6 compartments, a luggage area, the switchgear and a drivers cab in each motor coach. When converted for sleet operation by LT the luggage compartment wall and one compartment wall were removed. In preservation these 2 walls have not been reinstated, the area being used to carry wheelchairs due to the ideally placed double doors. Seating from BR suburban units has been modified and fitted to the original seat frames in the remaining compartments, and matching 2+2 seating in the opened out disabled saloon. BR door locks have also been fitted to all compartments.

The vehicles both underwent restoration in preservation but nether have been used for 3-4 years. They will therefore need a degree of work to return them to passenger service.

Vehicles of this type really need to be either regularly used or be kept under cover to avoid deterioration, and protect them from vandalism. Unfortunately the Spa Valley Railway is unable to offer this and have therefore decided that because of their historical significance, their future would be more secure if located elsewhere.

Offers for purchase, or detailed proposals for long term loan of the vehicles, are therefore invited by Thursday 31st July. Inspection is available to serious parties by prior arrangement.

Offers in excess of £20,000 for BOTH vehicles would be considered, please note they are being sold or loaned as a pair and not individually.

www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=1075
www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=1074

All serious enquires please email: disposals@spavalleyrailway.co.uk with the subject title 'T-Stock'.