Six Wheelers

[manna]

G'Day Gents
Just reading another thread,when a thought crossed my mind, When did the last 6 wheeler, coach or van run on the Eastern Region, and what company, I remember seeing and shunting Thompson 6 wheeler parcels vans in 1971/2 at Kings Cross.
manna

[hq1hitchin]

Probably one of them - a BZ - or one of the Stanier BGZ vans which would have lasted until there was a purge on pre-nationalisation vans about 1977? Certainly I can't recall seeing any about in 1978 although there was an exotic six wheeler, really ancient, which was in departmental use as a mess van for a ballast cleaner and I can recall seeing that on the LM in about 1979. Incidentally, I can also recall seeing and walking though an ex LMS Insulated Cream Van (very rare) which was formed in the 0605 KX - Grantham one sunny morning at Kings X in about 1971. Cannot comment on milk tanks, they weren't about on the GN in our time, apart from one in the drain cleaning train, remember that?

[manna]

G'Day Gents
Drain cleaning train,now that sounds exotic, guys would be fighting over that one, to get aboard, No you've got me on that one, wonder where that was kept, Connington tip??
Think I remember the Stainer 6 wheelers, did any one preserve a Thompson BZ.
Any idea when the last 6 wheeler coach carried a passenger, in BR service, I'm thinking 1950/51.
manna

[chaz harrison]

According to David Larkin (in BR General Parcels Rolling Stock - a Pictorial Survey snappy title!) there was a ban in 1959, prohibiting six wheeled vans from running in passenger trains. However he does point out that both the Thompson vans and the LMS Stove Rs survived late enough to receive the Rail Blue livery.

Chaz

[Bryan]

There is a Thompson BZ on the NYMR stored in Newbridge yard.
However its condition is very poor with a near absence of both sides.
It is hoped some kind person or group will take pity on it otherwise its future is bleak.
Will see if I have a photo of it.

[Norfolkman]

It might be of interest that the underframe from the last departmental 6-Wheeler - DM395092 (ex-Midland BZ M34148M) is being restored (and lengthened) at the North Norfolk Railway to carry the body of M&GN First Class Saloon no.3 (ex-Midland Railway first class saloon 1616 of 1886 - transferred to M&GN in 1903). The body was rescued from a garden at Briston near Melton Constable and is undergoing considerable framework repairs. When completed, it will be turned out in M&GN (painted) grained teak livery.

Steve (Norfolkman)

[Bryan]

Took a shot of the BZ today.
The other side is a bit more presentable and is viewable from the train as it passes Newbridge yard.
But as can be seen if anybody takes it on there is a lot of work to do.
Probably a full rebuild above the frame.

[hq1hitchin]

Thanks, Bryan - poor old thing looks in a terrible condition. I believe these were built at Stratford as CKD kits and were about the last large order the works had?
Interesting to compare state of it with the Stanier BGZ on the Bluebell, which I saw last Saturday. It looked a treat, albeit in fake Pullman livery (!!) as it acts as brakevan/catering department stores on their Golden Arrow services.
Certainly coaching stock doesn't like being stored in the open and the Bluebell were far sighted to get a carriage shed erected quite early on in their history.

[Bryan]

The point with the Bluebell BZ is that it has gangways and also a purpose within the dining train.
Unfortunately the NYMR BZ has neither.
Without a purpose it is unlikely that anyone would fund a restoration without the liklihood of ever seeing it run in a train formation.

What was the reason for the banning of them from in train formation from 1959?

[hq1hitchin]

Depends on the railway, I suppose, as the Bluebell also have a Southern BY, a four wheeler with no gangway connections, which can be used as a brake vehicle on non-corridor trains. Admittedly, little call for them and I happen to be part of a group that has 'inherited' a similar van and we are still debating what to do with it, having owned it for years. A large tarpaulin over the roof is a start. Sorry for wandering off topic a bit....

[Wavey]

As Bryan has stated E70687 on the NYMR has no future purpose and an appeal to raise funds has only had a muted response.
See LNERCA link: http://lnerca.org/bz70687.html
The GCR already have a fully restored one so the BZ on the NYMR has an uncertain future.

Going back to the subject of this post does anyone know when 6 wheelers last carried passengers on the main line?

[melton]

I remember seeing an ex GW 6 wheel tank at Whitemoor - must have been around 1990/1991. I believe it was part of an engineer's train but I cannot comment on it's exact use. We also had an ex Southern bogie ballast brakevan for use on the Whitemoor - Broxbourne CEGB sidings Redlands stone train. It was air braked (rather than just air piped) so the guard could still ride on the engine with the brakevan at the rear.

[StevieG]

Until quite recent years there was a six-wheel tank of some sort amongst a very few odd assorted vehicles left for ages in "Alexandra Palace"(Wood Green!) sand sidings, with the greenery growing up around (& through) them.

[manna]

G'Day Gents
It seems that the old 6 wheelers, just keep hanging around, don't they? Thompsons BX would look good as a carriage for wheelchairs, if it had gangways, it certainly has big enough doors, seems a pity to waste it.
manna