A simulated view of a restored 1380

This former Great Eastern Railway carriage body has retired to County School station.

Having lost all it's running gear it has been used as a house since about 1928. It is a third class vehicle, with two main compartments. The smaller of the two consists of two seating bays - this being the former smoking compartment. The coach was originally built with only one skin, an inner lining being added at a later date.

A view of 1380 in October 2000

It would appear that it last ran in GER crimson - never being fully adopted by the LNER. Internally the smoking compartment was painted dark brown, with a cream roof and a cream band of about 2 inches just below the junction between the ceiling and the wall.

A view of 1380 in June 2004

The floor was also painted - dull red? - but it appears that this paint was only used under the seating. The usable floor space appears to have been left unpainted. The original interior paint in the non-smoking compartment (ie. that found behind the later lining timber) appears to have been antique oak effect.

The current plan is for this coach to remain on display at County School, externally restored to look as it did in service - but standing on concrete piers rather than wheels. The interior would be restored as a display area.

Needs:

DOORS - Ideally a full set of spare doors are required.

METALWORK - Door handles, hinges, locks and fittings are all missing.

INTERIOR - Enough GER,LNER or BR compartment seats and luggage racks needed for small compartment.

Preservation News

• ??? 189? 1380 is built at Stratford.
• ??? 1928 Unit is withdrawn and sent for scrapping.
• ??? 1928 Body bought for residential conversion - named "Sunshine Villa".
• ??? 19?? 1380 rescued by MNR member and moved to agricultual premises.
• ??? 1999 Coach is delivered to County School.
• Sep 2000 New roof covering delivered and temporarily fitted.
• Oct 2000 East side of coach treated with wood preservative.
• Dec 2000 Refitting of window glass commences.
• Jan 2001 First replacement door delivered to site for refurbishment.
• Mar 2001 Door temporarily fitted into coach body.
• Jun 2001 Original GER droplight discovered - stored for future fitting.
• Jul 2001 Roof gutter strips removed and stored.
• Aug 2001 Two door ventilators fitted to east side of coach.
• Aug 2002 Station side being rubbed down and undercoated.
• Oct 2002 New roofing material damaged during gales - repairs under investigation.
• Dec 2002 Body panels damaged and window smashed by vandals.
• Mar 2003 Future of 1380 in doubt due to lack of progress or interest from MNR members.
• Aug 2003 Cosmetic blacking of south end of coach before Watt's Reunion.
• Aug 2003 Volunteer labour withdrawn from coach until future decided.
• Jan 2004 Friends Of County School propose low-cost restoration plan for coach body.
• Apr 2004 Station side roughly repaired, glazed and painted to test restoration potential.
• Jun 2004 Trust Council approve FoCS restoration plans.
• Jul 2004 The smoking compartment roof is treated with a proofing compound. Second coat needed.
• Jul 2004 Timber for panel repairs and propping the main saloon roof purchased and delivered.
• Jul 2004 Concrete blocks for display plinth secured from Dereham station renovation.
• Aug 2004 School-side windows boarded where required. Worst panels stripped for replacement.
• Sep 2004 Roofing repairs completed. Roof is now watertight for first time in many years.
• Sep 2004 The final door ventilators restored to the station side.
• Sep 2004 Two LNER roof ventiltors, recovered from a local bonfire (LNER ventilated van body) were fitted.
• Oct 2004 Internal paint stripping has begun and a second door has been brought into use.
• Jan 2005 Painting and woodwork repairs in smoking compartment underway.
• Sep 2005 Parts from GER First 418 being recovered and fitted, including window glass and fittings.
• Sep 2005 Roof drip bars refurbished for replacement.
• Oct 2005 Droplight strap retainers purchased for fitting to small compartment.
• Nov 2005 Frame repairs completed on east side of small compartment. Both doors now in use.
• Nov 2005 Supply of GER droplight windows donated for use of carriage.
• Oct 2006 All exterior doors are now operable.
• Nov 2006 Full partition restored.
• Nov 2006 Small (smoking) compartment has had half-partition restored.
• Dec 2006 One bench seat has been restored to the small compartment.
• Jan 2007 Internal restoration of large compartment completed.
• Feb 2007 Display fitting started in large compartment.