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/