Empress Van F.27 (ii)
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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 2012 and has since been in regular use as part of the railway’s dining train with the 1905 saloon carriages.
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 area. 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. In November 2025 the carriage was repainted into purple lake.
Year:
Length:
Width
Over Ducket:
Capacity:
Wheelbase:
Roof-Rail:
Builders:
2012
35’ 0”
7’ 0”
8’ 2”
Nil
4’ 6”
9’ 4”
In-House
The guards’ compartment during a test run at Castletown Station in August of 2012 showing the base coat prior to the “scumbled” finish applied later, note the brake ducket.
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 applied later that month.
Dining duty at Castletown Station in the summer of 2022, note the socket on the rear bulkhead which is to facilite mains charging of the generator when stored.
Withdrawn at the end of October 2025, work soon commenced on the repaint into purple lake with historical research provided by the Supporters’ Association.
Detail of the guards’ compartment door furniture during construction showing the attention to detail when creating the externally similar replica.
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 with suitable drop shadowing.
In service at Castletown Station in the summer of 2023 showing variation in vents compared with the original in connection with the galley kitchen inside.
Just one week after entering the works the first topcoat of purple lake and off-white had been applied as painting continued as well as remedial repairs.
The replica van takes shape in the workshops in June of 2012, the additional double doors shown provide access to the generator room via the guards’ compartment.
August 2012 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 since work began on building.
The interior of the galley while on test prior to commissioning in 2012 in the luggage compartment area showing the working environment of kitchen staff.
Detail of the paintwork being carried out to the access door for the galley kitchen ahead of a return to traffic for the festive dining trains in 2025.
Above and below showing the original appearance of the van upon entering traffic, and the drawing prepared to illustrate the original purple lake scheme which was used as the basis for the repaint in November of 2025 and is based upon works drawings and limited photographic reference materials, also citing liveries applied to F.19 and F.20.
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