Carriage 2 restoration
Carriage 2 was taken out of service during 2021 after being inspected and shown to be in need of considerable repair or renew. The main steel base frame (chassis) needed to be replaced, due to degraded metal, the bogies, wheels, axles, bearings were all in need of replacement parts and engineering work.
The coachwork was in a generally a poor state with all sides rotting out. The roof cross beams and panels were considerably degraded, however the reuse of the roof frame, doors and seats were all in good condition and restorable.
Carriage 2 is the first of two “driving” carriages being restored. The driving carriages are at the front of the train allowing it to be driven. Controls in the carriage control the tractor unit at the rear of the train. Driving carriages are far more complex in terms of brake and other controls and electric connections. This complexity means that the cost of restoring the carriage is likely to be 150% greater than the cost of restoring a “normal” carriage.
Prefabrication of the wooden coachwork and associated parts such as seat frames, panelling and doors etc was undertaken off site by the The Hythe Shed (at the pier).
Prior to commencement of the works Blue Funnel, the then pier owner, gifted ownership of the carriage to Hythe Pier Heritage Association.
There have been considerable delays to this project, caused by external unrelated factors. The original target date for return of the carriage was May 2023. This has been revised and now the target is to return the carriage to normal operation in mid 2026.
Last updated 10th August 2025
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