[Brake Compo]

Maunsell BCK 6686 arrived on the Bluebell in about 1971-2 if my memory is correct, ex-Liss & Droxford, with 30064, Blackmore Vale, Bullied CK 5768 and some other stuff.

What is interesting is that this one of the later builds (1935) of Maunsells with the flush set screw windows, of the type of which some were converted into push-pull sets (Sets 600-619) in 1959-60. This will explain why all the BR versions of the M7 released are push-pull fitted versions.

We also now know therefore that one of the other Maunsell coaches will be a drop window open third from the 1933 batch!

Let us also hope that they also also produce, at least an early style (preferably high window) BTK and CK!

 

[Brake Compo]

Yes there was a big move from the LMR when it shut, including 6686, but 6686 was at Droxford before that with the rest of the Southern Loco Preservation Co's stuff - from memory 30064, 6686, the GW Toad brake and the SER 6w passenger brake....

I think that the photo was taken sometime between about 1975 and 1977 as I seem to recall that 6686 entered traffic about '74 or so and it is clearly coupled next to a Maunsell TO - 1309 did not eneter traffic until late 1983 and the photo looks too early for that, whilst 1365 was withdrawn in 1977 - so I think that dates the photo. It is clearly is C class 592 in the background, which moved to teh Bluebell in 1970.

Anyway getting back onto the thread, I must say that I would be a little dissapointed if the Hornby choices are too skewed by the push pull sets - if any group of Southern coaches are over-emphasised it is Sets 600-619. These Maunsell pushpull sets were only in service for about 5 years, but because a lot of photographers were active then photographing the diminishing Southern branches, people seem to think that these were the typical Southern push pull sets. I think that that the, much longer serving, sets that these replaced (and in frequently operated alongside) would be much more worthy targets: things like the converted ex-LSW ironclads, the ex-SEC birdcage vehicles (without birdcages) of course, the ex-LSW gate stock, the ex-LBSC units and the ex-Isle of Sheppy railmotor vehicles would all have been far more interesting and relevant to a much longer period for modellers. What I am concerned about is that if the choice of vehicles by Hornby precludes typical Maunsell mainline/secondary route/branch formations, which is far more relevant - if we get a BCK, TO, BTK and a CK then we can do quite a lot, if not we cannot .

 

[Brake Compo]

Have been having further thoughts about the date - have confirmed from Gould's book on Maunsell coaches that 6686 was outshopped initially on the Bluebell in May 1974. Whereas 592 in the background appears to be without its tender - probably because it was running behind the Dukedog (every time I went to the Bluebell in the early 70's I seemed to be hauled by the Dukedog coupled to the C class tender!). 592 entered traffic in 1975 so this definately dates the photo to 1974-5 - can anyone get a closer fix on the date?