The Heritage Railway Association has chosen the Isle of Wight railway's restoration of LCDR 4-wheel Third Class carriage No.2515 as the overall winner of its 2002 Carriage & Wagon competitions. Their citation reads "A stunning restoration which looks absolutely in place in its IoW setting. The restoration has included sympathetic modifications to accommodate wheelchairs utilising the former Guard's and adjacent compartments. The whole vehicle is superb and the 'disabled access' just doesn't show at all."

Prize winning LCDR Third No.2515 outside the workshops at Havenstreet.

An award presentation will take place during the HRA Members Weekend to be held on 7th & 8th June, when Pete Jardine, C&W Special Projects Supervisor, and John James, C&W Supervisor - Bodywork, will accept the award on behalf of the Railway. Pete has been in overall charge of 2515's restoration whilst John, as the C&W employee, has overseen the day to day involvement of the team of volunteers who have worked on the project as well as having a direct involvement in the work. 2515 will be entering traffic this spring as part of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's unique set of four-wheeled carriages.

New double doors have been added to allow wheelchair users access.

Historical details of 2515 are:-

Built at Longhedge Works of the LCDR in 1894 as a six-wheeled, four-compartment Brake Second. Downgraded to Third Brake c.1899. In 1916 the centre pair of wheels were removed and in 1924 the Guard's duckets were removed. In 1929 it was selected for use on the Isle of Wight but, because sufficient brake carriages were already available, the Guard/Luggage area was converted to an fifth third class compartment recognisable by being some 20" wider than the original compartments. It was transferred to the Island on 28th May 1930 and ran as a loose third, available for strengthening purposes when required. It was withdrawn in May 1937 the body being purchased by the Fry family of Newport, who sited it at Brambles Chine, Colwell, as a summer chalet appropriately named 'Sunny Siding'.

Seats fold up to make space for wheelchairs to manoeuvre.

Donated to the erstwhile Wight Locomotive Society it was moved to Havenstreet on 3rd October 1981. Restoration commenced in February 1999 when it was mounted on the modified underframe of PMV S1497S; provision of wheelchair accessible accommodation was planned from the beginning and has involved the insertion of a set of double doors disguised as much as possible to retain the original appearance.

LCDR 2515 seen following completion in September 2002.

Earlier this year the Isle of Wight Railway received a Highly Commended Award from the Transport Trust for its restoration project of a rake of three LBSCR single bolster wagons. 59034 and 59050 have been completed and 59046 should complete the set later this year.

Award winning LBSCR single bolster wagons 59034 and 59050.

For further information on the Isle of Wight Steam Railways unique collection of Victorian and Edwardian carriages visit the Carriage&Wagon pages. For details of current progress on Carriage&Wagon restoration visit the latest edition of the on-line newsletter of the Mechanical Engineering Department Mechanical Times.