Empress Van F.27 (ii)
This replica vehicle was based on the stripped-down original, the underframes of which survive today; it has built on a new steel underframe (two sets of which were purchased at the same time) and is modelled on the original with detail differences to accommodate the kitchen, toilet and generator room in the guards' compartment. Externally very similar to the original on which it is based, though carrying the fleet livery of red and cream which historically it would have carried, it was outshopped in August 2013 and has since been in regular use as part of the railway's dining train.
Complete with corridor connection to the saloon carriages at the southern. Lookout duckets were incorporated into the design as per the original though these do not have the lamp housings atop them. Some windows and louvered ventilators across the top section have been amended to suit the kitchen ares. The appearance is largely faithful to the original, notably the long horizontal handrail along its length has not been fitted and the fleet lettering appears in the top corners. Since entering service it has clocked up many miles, likely far more than the original.
Length:
Width
Over Ducket:
Capacity:
Wheelbase:
Roof-Rail:
Builders:
35’ 0”
7’ 0”
8’ 2”
Nil
4’ 6”
9’ 4
In-House
Replica Empress Van F.27 in April of 2022 with one of the first dining trains of that season paused at Port Soderick Station, note no lettering.
May 2022 at Douglas Station in its usual haunt when not out on the line, lettering would not be applied until February 2023 in the house style.
August 2013 and the very first pre-service trial run with No.12 Hutchinson at Castletown Station, the first time the carriage had been on the line.