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Wednesday 12 January 2022

The British Railways Camping Coach Rise and Fall

 

Camping has always been a favourite pastime for a large proportion of the British people; a relatively inexpensive way to spend a weekend away or an annual holiday.

For many, nothing can compare to waking up in a new and exciting location following a night spent under canvas. 

The mouth-watering anticipation of sausage, egg and bacon sizzling in the frying pan as baked beans or tomatoes simmer in the saucepan to be eaten in the fresh morning air is unequalled.

However, a number of campers with families and those with a slightly larger holiday budget wanted something slightly different from the norm. Something that added a few extra luxuries to their well-earned annual holiday. 

 

Art Illustration on the cover of a British Railways leaflet advertising Camping Coach holidays featuring family enjoying themselves
British Railways Camping Coach Leaflet

 

In the 1930’s when camping and hiking were said to have been at the height of their popularity, the railway companies of the time, always on the look-out for new ways to increase revenues, added an extra dimension to the whole idea of camping, thereby making it more attractive to people with families. They introduced the camping coach; a railway carriage no longer suitable for normal use by the travelling public though had potential for other employment thereby extending its working life.

Was this idea the first instance of glamping?

The first railway company to spot such an opening in what they hoped would be a lucrative market, was the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) in July 1933. 

 

Black and white photo of an early LNER railway camping coach on a station railway siding and featuring three holiday-makers
Early LNER Railway Camping Coach

 

The LNER operation was quickly adopted by the other rail companies. So much so that by 1935 more than 200 camping coaches were to be found on railway station sidings at over 150 locations throughout the UK, including North Wales, the West Country, Scotland and countless other countryside sites and seaside resorts.

Converting and fitting-out the redundant coaches proved an easy task for the railway companies as each of them owned and operated their own carriage and wagon-building works. A situation that proved to be ideal when the time came for the coaches to be brought back from their sites in winter for repair and service, before being returned in the Spring.

Generally, each camping coach provided its occupants with a bedroom, bathroom and a living-room area where, much like a caravan, extra beds could be made up – and of course, a kitchen.

Although basic in design, the kitchens were adequate for the needs of most coach campers with fitted cupboards, a stove with a fully functioning oven and a table with six chairs. All utensils such as pots, pans, plates, cups and cutlery were provided. 

 

Black and white photo showing an early Southern Railway Camping Coach parked up on a railway station siding
Early Southern Railway Camping Coach

 

Camping coaches could comfortably accommodate a party of up to six people paying an average weekly rent of £3.00, equating to a mere 10/- (£0.50p) for each adult member of the party. 

By the time the 1960s rolled around, paying a little extra gave a party the option to enhance their camping experience by hiring one of the limited number of luxury Pullman Coaches, similar to those used on the famous ‘Golden Arrow’ boat train, that were gradually being retired from service.

Even back in those days...'Terms and Conditions' applied...nothing changes! 

 

Black and white photo showing a luxury Pullman Camping Coach featuring a family of campers
Pullman Camping Coach

 

One non-negotiable rule was rigorously applied by all of the railway companies. It stated that anyone hiring one of their camping coaches must travel to and from the site by train. Although on the face of it this stipulation seemed by modern-day standards to be rather draconian, one has to bear in mind that in the days when few cars were privately owned this precondition would not have been regarded as something negative.

Although a large number of coaches were sited at seaside resorts, thereby allowing the campers the freedom of not having to adhere to the stringent rules laid down by guest house landladies, many coaches were also placed in the countryside at places of natural beauty.

 

A colourful artist illustrated poster advertising a GWR seaside Camping Coach holidays
GWR Camping Coach Poster

 

 

Situated close to country stations on quiet branch lines, it was a completely safe environment for children to play and investigate the wonders of nature, while at the same time enjoying the fresh air that was so often lacking in the smoky towns and cities in which they lived. Adults were able to enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside; go for walks, climb the windswept hills, have picnics by the river, visit the village pub, explore a village church - or simply sit in the sun and relax.

However, storm clouds were gathering on the horizon.

As more and more people in the 1960’s began to take advantage of the blossoming availability of package holidays abroad, with the promise of guaranteed sunshine and cheap alcohol, and the private ownership of motor cars increased dramatically, there was a negative effect on booking figures for the camping coaches. 

Railway companies could no longer attract the numbers of campers they had achieved three decades earlier. Regrettably, the inevitable happened.

By 1971 the very last British Railways camping coach had been rented out. It was no longer financially viable to provide and maintain them.

Sadly, like the hard working much-loved steam locomotives that had once hauled them in service, the halcyon days of the railway camping coach were over.

A unique era had quietly passed into history.


But, happily, all is not lost! There is a modern alternative to those bygone days.  Here is a link to railway camping coach holidays today.  Simply click on relevant photo to visit a site.  

Please note: 'Along These Tracks' blog is not connected to these sites in any way.


 

Saturday 18 December 2021

Class 387115, 387123, 387124 Thameslink Trains Bedford 2015

 

In white Thameslink Trains livery Class 387115 electric multiple unit stands in Bedford station in 2015 about to leave for Brighton 2015
Class 387115 Thameslink Trains EMU Bedford 2015       
Photo: Charles Moorhen

  






Photo of Thameslink Trains Class 387123 Electrostar EMU standing alongside East Midlands Trains Class 222023 DMU train in Bedford station 2015
Class 387123 Thameslink Trains EMU & Class 222023 DMU
Photo: Charles Moorhen





Thameslink Trains Class 387124 Electrostar EMU train seen entering Bedford station which completes its journey from Brighton 2015
Class 387124 Thameslink Trains EMU Bedford 2015       
Photo: Charles Moorhen




The Thameslink Trains Class 387 electric multiple unit, such as in the photos above, which forms part of the Electrostar family, was built by Bombardier and entered service between Bedford and Brighton in December 2014, with all units in place by July 2015.

 

Since the introduction of Thameslink's Class 700 EMU on the Bedford/Brighton service, the Class 387s have been transferred to Great Northern operating out of Kings Cross.

Other operators of the Class 387 EMU are; Gatwick Express, Great Western Railway, c2c and Heathrow Express. 

Friday 17 December 2021

Night Photo Class 221138 Cross Country DEMU 'The Big Hoot 2015' Banbury

 

Colourful night photo of Cross Country Super Voyager DMU train Class 221138 emblazoned with event logo 'The Big Hoot' on its side at Banbury train station 2016
Cross Country Trains DEMU Class 221138 Banbury
Photo: Charles Moorhen


Colourful night photo of Cross Country Trains Voyager DEMU Class 221138 displaying 'The Big Hoot 2015' event branding seen on a scheduled service at Banbury station about to head towards Leamington Spa on 4th May 2016.

 

From the 20th July to the 27th September, 89 giant owl art structures could be found in the streets across the city of Birmingham; each owl individually decorated by a different artist.

This event known as 'The Big Hoot 2015', sponsored by various local businesses and organisations, culminated with a sale-by-auction of the attractive owls with all money raised going to the Birmingham's Children's Hospital.

From June to September in 2022, a similar event - The Big Hoot 2022 -  is to be held in Ipswich, Suffolk, to raise money for the St. Elizabeth Hospice.

In total, 40 designed and illustrated 'Big Hoot' owls will be placed around the historic town.

Wednesday 15 December 2021

Photo Class 90034 EWS UK Electric Locomotive at Rugby Station 1990s

 

Around the time that Rugby station is undergoing modernisation, electric locomotive Class 90034 in EWS red and gold livery is photographed waiting adjacent to a platform 1990s
EWS Class 90034 - Rugby       Photo: Charles Moorhen


Class 90034 electric locomotive, photographed in English Welsh & Scottish Railways (EWS) livery, stands in Rugby station in the 1990s around the time of its  modernisation.

 

Built by British Rail Engineering Ltd. (BREL) at Crewe between 1987 and 1990, the electric Class 90 locomotives, a derivative of the Class 87, and initially intended to be classified Class 87/2, were produced essentially for mixed traffic duties on sections of the UK railway network.  

Due to their unreliability in the early years of service, they were unfortunately nicknamed, 'Skodas', a derogative name for the cheap and, some claim, unreliable Skoda Czech-manufactured car.

In response to the aging of various electric locos on the UK railway network, dating from the 1960s, such as Classes 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85, BREL tendered proposals to build 25 examples to replace.

In total 50 units were produced with all of the fleet in still service or stored at the present time.

At the time of writing the current Class 90 operators are - DB Cargo UK, Freightliner, and Locomotive Services.

Sunday 12 December 2021

Class 47100 'Merlin' Silver Roof UK Diesel Loco Eastleigh 1989

 

Photo of Class 47100 'Merlin' diesel loco in br blue livery with silver roof standing in eastleigh station, hampshire in May 1989
Class 47100 'Merlin' loco at Eastleigh                  Photo: Charles Moorhen


Photographed in May 1989, on 35mm colour film, diesel locomotive Class 47100 in BR blue livery, stands in Eastleigh station, Hampshire.

 

Class 47100 - original number D1687 - was built at the Brush Falcon Works in Loughborough and entered service on 16th November 1963.

On the 20th September 1989 the loco was given the short-lived unofficial name, 'Merlin', before being unnamed two years later on the 17th July 1991.

After 28 years service on the UK railway network, it was withdrawn in 1991.  January 1994 saw it cut-up at CF Booths scrapyard in Rotherham, Yorkshire.

This should have been the end of the story of diesel locomotive Class 47100, but a strange thing happened.  Although the engine and bodywork was scrapped, by some twist of fate the cab survived.

It was purchased by a Mr. Thorley who was a collector of locomotive cabs which he stored in his garden. At a later date the Merlin's loco cab was acquired by Mr. Richard Benyon of the South Wales Loco Cab Preservation Group.

In 2009 the cab of Class 47100 was on the move once again, this time by low-loader to its final destination - the 'Ribble Steam Railway' in Preston.

Stored in the Railway's workshop the cab is now undergoing renovation with the intention of creating an interactive display for visitors.

 

Photo: Martin Brown


 

Photo: R. MacVeigh (flickr)

512 Class 47s were built, of which 30 have passed into preservation and can be found (at time of blog-page publication) at the following locations, though this may be subject to change for various reasons.

D1524  47004 - Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway.
D1693  47105 - Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
D1705  47117 'Sparrowhawk' - Great Central Railway.
D1842  47192 - Crewe Heritage Centre.
D1855  47205/47395 - Northampton & Lamport Railway.
D1994  47292 - Great Central Railway Nottingham.
D1787  47306 'The Sapper' - Bodmin & Wenford Railway.
D1886  47367 - Mid Norfolk Railway.
D1895  47376 'Freightliner 1995' - Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
D1500  47401 'North Eastern' - Midland Railway Butterley.
D1501  47402 - East Lancashire Railway.
D1516  47417 - Midland Railway Butterley.
D1566  47449 - Llangollen Railway.
D1662  47484 'Isambard Kingdom Brunel' - (Private Location).
D1107  47524 - Dean Forest Railway.
D1778  47183/47579/47793 'James Nightall G.C. - Mid Hants Railway.
D1762  47167/47580/47732 'County of Essex - Carnforth.
D1933  47233/47596 'Aldeburgh Festival' - Mid Norfolk Railway.
D1606  47029/47635 'Jimmy Milne' - Epping Ongar Railway.
D1970  47269/47643 - Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway.
D1948  47505/47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' - Crewe Heritage Centre.
D1619  47038/47564/47761 - Midland Railway Butterley.
D1643  47765/47059/47631 - East Lancashire Railway.
D1946  47503/47771 - Eastleigh Works.
D1755  47541/47773 - (Location Not Known).
D1909  47232/47785/47820 - Wensleydale Railway.
D1656  47072/47609/47834/47798 'Prince William' - York Railway Museum.
D1654  47070/47620/47799/47835 'Prince Henry' - Eden Valley Railway.
D1966  47266/47629/47828 - Carnforth.
D1661  47077/47613/47840 'North Star' - West Somerset Railway.

More Class 47 and 57 images on 'Along These Tracks'.





Friday 22 October 2021

British Rail Class 101 L202 W51225 DMU Train Banbury 1989

 

In two tone BR blue livery First Generation DMU Train W51225 leaves Banbury station in 1989
Class101 W51225 DMU Banbury    Photo: Charles Moorhen


In British Rail blue and white livery, Western Region L202 Class 101 W51225 Driving Motor Brake DMU, photographed on a sunny April day in 1989 about to depart Banbury station, Oxfordshire, England, for Oxford, forming the front unit of a 2-car formation.

 

W51225 was built in 1958 by Metropolitan-Cammell at Washwood Heath, Birmingham, England.

 


 

Commonly known as British Rail's First Generation DMUs, the Class 101 fleet contained a total of 527 units in service, many of which were in use until the final 101 was withdrawn in Dec 2003.

W51225 was scrapped by Gwent Demolition, Margam, Wales, though 22 others managed to escape this fate and are preserved on Heritage Railways at various locations in Britain.

 


 

The Class 101 has one enduring and endearing claim to fame; it was the basis for Daisy the Diesel Railcar in The Railway Series books written by the Rev. W.Awdry, then subsequently appearing in the television series, Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends where Daisy (YouTube video clip) appears as a single-car unit.

 

Daisy the Diesel Railcar

 

Wednesday 20 October 2021

Photo Class 66515 UK Freightliner Loco Through Banbury Station 2014

 

Photo of Freightliner loco Class 66515 passes at speed through Banbury station with a train of empty container flatbeds. 3-Car Chiltern Railways Class 172 DMU in background 2014
Freightliner Class 66515 Loco Banbury        Photo: Charles Moorhen


Photo of Freightliner Class 66515 diesel loco at Banbury station, hauling a train of empty flatbed wagons, A Chiltern Railways Class 172 DMU can be seen to the left of the picture.


This image was actually taken from a video that I took at the time. An experiment that worked reasonably well.

 

In Freightliner livery since new, Class 66515 arrived in the UK at Newport docks on the 15th August 2000 on board the ship, MV Stellaprima.
 
On the 5th December 2015, the loco provided the power for the reverse part of the 'York & Durham Noel Explorer' Pathfinder Tour, hauling an 11-coach train from Newcastle to Taunton.

The above photo took a lot of fiddling about with my basic photo editing software, but in the end I thought that the process was worth the effort.  

Admittedly, not the best image of a Freightliner loco in the world, but I like the sense of motion.

I am not a great believer in too much 'tampering' with an image; usually merely correcting only Brightness and Contrast.  But with this image I was tempted to see what I could do with it.

Following the relative success of this, I decided to try it out on a couple of other video images that I thought may make worthwhile static images.  The results were not as good as I had hoped.

However, when I've more time I might have another crack at it. Fingers crossed. 


More Class 66 Locomotive Images on 'Along These Tracks' blog.





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