Railway collection at Pentre

Image: © Trevor Rickard Taken: 24 Jan 2008

The lane provides a good view of several short lengths of standard gauge track, each with a carriage. The vehicle in the front is a Southern Region horsebox, used to carry three racehorses or three military horses. The vehicle had a small compartment with fold down bed for the groom, a toilet/washroom, store for food for the horses and a tack room. When the need for these vehicles declined, due mainly to rail-link cuts (Beeching era) horses were transferred by road vehicles. This vehicle (No.96336) on its withdrawal was transferred to departmental use and converted to a boiler van (No.DE321099), used to preheat long distance coaching stock such as sleeper trains. Once trains were modernised even this requirement was withdrawn and the vehicle along with the remaining similar vehicles were offered to preservation societies. This vehicle went to Rutland Railway Museum, where it was fitted with side windows and seats and used as a passenger vehicle for a short while after which it was offered for sale again, ending up privately owned.

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