This typically nineteenth century six wheeler was built
in 1887. It originally had one third and one first class
compartment on both sides of a central luggage compartment.
The LNER withdrew No. 197 in 1928 and the body sold as a
holiday home at Wisbech in Cambridgeshire.
The
body was recovered by
the K&ESR in the
late 1970’s. Restoration
commenced at Plumstead
in South East London,
the work being undertaken
by the former Thameside
Area Group. In 1985 the
part-restored coach
was moved to Tenterden.
The small group who continued
to restore the coach
were joined by further
volunteers from the
Croydon area and the
body was mounted on an
ex-LMS ‘Stove
R’ underframe. Numerous parts had to be fabricated
including the complete interior. The luggage compartment
was completed as a guard’s brake van. No. 197 was
completed in a GER livery and entered service with the vintage
train in 1991. The vehicle is 30 feet long and seated 28
people. It was repainted during the spring of 1999 in a
representation of a K&ESR
light chocolate livery of the 1920’s. In 2005 extensive
refurbishment was required and it re-entered service in
March 2006 in GER maroon (1919-22) livery . The first class
compartments have been converted to 3rd to increase the capacity
of this popular and useful coach.
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