No 290 - Dean 4 Wheel Composite 1st/2nd

No. 290 is a four wheel composite coach built for Bristol Local Services in June 1902. Incandescent gas lighting was added in 1915. In 1942 it was transferred into the Pilot Van list becoming No 29 stowage van, electrical section.

The vehicle has four compartments, two 1st class in the middle and two 2nd class, one at each end.

Restoration of this vehicle began in summer 2011, with the requirement of a film company for a restored 4 wheel coach chassis on which to build a replica body. To achieve this the carriage body was removed from the underframe, which was then restored.

Once the underframe was no longer required by the film company, the replica body was removed and work began on rebuilding the original coach body. The body required a considerable amount of work with substantial repairs undertaken to the framing and roof structures. New panelling has been fitted to the sides and the doors re-built and re-hung. The complex mouldings have been manufactured, the windows glazed and the roof reconstructed. The interiors will have to be completely rebuilt back to the turn of the last century condition.

One of the interesting features of this vehicle is the wooden ‘Mansell’ wheels, which were popular with many railways in the Victorian period as they gave a quieter ride than all-metal ones.

Status

Under Restoration

Build date

1902

Built at

Swindon

Original railway

GWR

Lot Number

990

Diag No

U.4

Length

26’ 10”

Date Preserved

1972

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