Posted: 6 January 2025, 10:02:46

Various comments have recently been made regarding KDS11 (ex SR PMV 2188), DS93 (ex SR PMV 2196), ADS70154 (ex SR PMV 2213) and the possibility that some of these are the two ex SR PMV's used for holiday accommodation at Railway Retreats, Northiam or the two ex SR PMV's that have recently arrived at the former Folkestone Harbour station. All these were located at the Mid Hants Railway a decade or so ago. It is also worth considering non ex departmental SR PMV's 1712 and 1851 which were also at the Mid Hants Railway at the same time and may now be at Northiam or Folkestone.

Although I'm told sightings of these are on trainlogger, for some reason when I put the numbers in search I can't find them - what am I doing wrong? However, currently the most recent sightings on here are KDS11 - 10/14, DS93 - 10/20 and ADS70154 - 7/24. Has anyone seen any of 1712, 1851, KDS11 or DS93 at the Mid Hants or elsewhere in the last ten years and not reported the sighting?

Roger, going back to your 30/9/24 comment that "KDS11, along with another PMV, were sold about 2015 for possible camping coach use at an unknown location". Firstly, it is presumed you have visited the Mid Hants since 2014, if so which of those mentioned did you see, when and what prompted your enquiry? Secondly, following this comment, by August 2021 a SR PMV carrying the number 2196 was located at Northiam, it was reasonable to presume that 2196 was the other and both were now at Northiam. I've seen a picture of one arriving at Northiam in May 2018 which could be one from the Mid Hants and was subsequently restored there by August 2021.

Something that now troubles me is that DS93 is the identity quoted for one of those at Folkestone and it was reported at the Mid Hants in October 2020. So is the one at Northiam numbered 2196 something else?

Connected with Northiam is the report that a SR PMV/CCT was at a location connected with Railway Retreats in Sandhurst, Kent in 2020 where it was being adapted for use as holiday accommodation. Does anyone have any further details about this location or knowledge of which if any vehicles have been there and may now be there.

With regard to those at Folkestone, it is known that at least one and probably both were previously at the East Kent Railway. There is a report of one arriving from the Mid Hants in March 2024. Both were moved to Folkestone in June 2024. The pair are quoted to be 1712 and DS93. Did anyone visit the East Kent between March and June 2024, if so did you see any SR PMVs?

Having already come to the wrong conclusion, best not jump to another one. That being said it is beginning to look like the two at Northiam might actuallty be 1851 and KDS11 if indeed they both came from the Mid Hants.

Unfortunately several other SR PMV's have gone AWOL in recent years, 1333 from the Battlefield Railway, 1396 from the East Somerset Railway and the bodies of 1299 and 2120 from Macsalvers Yard, Pool, Cornwall, one of which has reputedly gone to Kent for holiday accommodation. In addition it is reported that one has arrived in the garden of a house in or near to Edenbridge, Kent in the last few years. Anyone know anything about these? Have they perhaps got a Folkestone or Northiam connection?

Finally mention should be made of 024534 (ex SR CCT 1770). Although it has been suggested that this was at Northiam, it isn't, it is actually at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. Ben is presumably on the case with updating the website reference. It now appears that this didn't go to Wittersham Road as had been suggested, but probably went direct from Sellindge to Buckinghamshire. If so, can the date of movement be narrowed down as no reports between August 2017 and January 2023. Possible then it did go somewhere else in between.

Peter, I've got your emails, I'll be in touch. If anyone else wishs to privately contact me, please do so via Carriage Conundrums - Preserved Coaches https://features.rcts.org.uk/preserved-coaches/

Posted: 26 May 2025, 14:50:13

Where to start on this subject is a good question. I have got my notebooks out for the time periods, and will put down what I believe I've seen on the MHR since 2019, and what I have been told at Railway Retreats in 2025, but in no particular order, so please accept my apologies if my observations are incorrect. Firstly, a visit to the MHR on 14/9/19 saw PMV S 1851 at Medstead, and again on 9/9/23 and 28/7/24. PMV S 1712 was noted on a line / siding with other stock after leaving Alton towards Medstead on 28/7/24. (Other PMV's noted were S 1633, 1765 and 1768 at Medstead on 28/7/24). Just returning to the mention of a couple of PMV's moving from the EKR possibly to Folkestone in 2024. When I went round the EKR in 10/21 with a chap who worked there, there was no sign of any PMV's on site, and the only S registered van was S 4595.

A visit to the K&ESR on 13/5/25 and to Railway Retreats in particular at Northiam found the same vehicle bodies in the same place as in 10/21 when last visited. I spoke to a chap who works on site (the owner was not present), and asked him if he could throw any light on the actual identities of the PMV's in question. He said the owner had tried to keep the original identities for the bodies present where the original number was known, but could not guarantee all the numbers were correct. The only body with its original plate on the solebar was M 37311. I could not find any plates on the other vehicle solebars, so would suggest that the one marked 2196 is correct, or the question has to be asked, why pick that particular number if not correct ?

I did not get to Folkestone, so cannot comment on what is there. I know these comments does not solve the puzzle, but hope that maybe, someone else does know the correct answers.

Posted: 10 June 2025, 19:23:09

That you saw S 1712 and S 1851 at the Mid Hants on 28/7/24 muddies the waters even further. This would mean they couldn't be the pair at Folkestone as it is known these were at the East Kent by this date. Neither could be at Northiam either as we know the pair their have been present since at least the Summer of 2021.

Posted: 8 July 2025, 10:29:45

It now appears that S 1333 from the Battlefield was offerred for sale from a location given as Cranbrook, Kent in May 2023. Cranbrook is only a few miles from Sandhurst, Kent so possibly one and the same location. Establishing precisely where this location is and whether any other vehicles have been there or are still there could be key to unravelling this mystery.

Posted: 4 February 2026, 21:50:46

A photo of an information board at Folkestone was recently uploaded here and it lists in detail what each of the six vehicles are at Folkestone Harbour.

PMV2 - S2196 - DS93 (said to be purchased by them in 2023.)

PMV1 - S1712 (said to be purchased by them in 2023.)

Grey box van 777578 (said to be purchased by them in 2018.)

GUV S4588 (083361) (said to be purchased by them in 2024.)

GWR Mink 28918 (ex G&WR 2018)

Brown box van B854239 (070857) no arrival date given.