MR bogie Third class compartment carriage no 01101 (body only)

The preservation of this carriage body presents one of the most exciting long term restoration projects at Foxfield, as an authentic underframe already exists under one of the LMS theatrical scenery vans to enable its complete restoration to passenger carrying condition. It is a seven-compartment all-third class carriage originally built at Derby works in the 1880s to the design of Richard Clayton. It has a simple arc roof, and was intended for secondary and suburban services, operating in fixed sets. The bogies were probably of 8'0" wheelbase. When replaced by newer stock in the 1920s, it would first have been relegated to the "duplicate list", hence the prefix of the number with "0". When withdrawn its underframe may have been used for a theatrical scenery van or some similar conversion by the LMS.

After removal from its underframe the body was sold off for use as a bungalow in Uttoxeter in conjunction with a MR six-wheel luggage composite body, a new roof being built overall, and both were lived in until 1988. For use as living accommodation few major alterations were made to the basic structure of this body apart from removal or repositioning of partitions, and most of the interior decoration was literally papered over with domestic wallpaper.

On construction of a new road between Rocester and Uttoxeter in spring 1989 the scrapyard in which the bungalow was situated was to be cleared and the contractor, Wrekin Construction, kindly allowed Foxfield to claim the bodies rather than bulldoze them away. Two weeks grace enabled them to be brought to Caverswall Road station where the bogie vehicle has been used as a secure store. Detective work led to the removal of the wallpaper and the discovery of the number and other original features, including small notices above each doorway reading "To stop the train, pull the alarm chain, Penalty of improper use £5". On the outside a well preserved panel in crimson lake livery complete with "Midland" in gold lettering was discovered. Many of these features have now been removed for safekeeping and some restoration has been attempted, including manufacture of a new door for one which was missing. A replacement roof covering was fitted in 2000 and periodic repainting has taken place, the main aim being preventative maintenance against the day when a full restoration can start. This carriage body will, in conjunction with one of the LMS scenery van underframes, enable an entirely authentic and typical Midland Railway third class carriage to be recreated, but this will take many thousands of hours and pounds to achieve.

To see a more recent picture and the entry for this carriage on the Vintage Carriage Survey see: http://vintagecarriagestrust.org/sd/2562.HTM