Rolling stock on the DMR currently consists of four rakes of carriages, allowing us run a maximum of four trains on any given day. All our rolling stock is turned out in LMS maroon, with DMR logos on the sides.
"Third Class" Carriages
These coaches are a set of three sit-astride coaches built new for the railway by B. Lomas in
1999. They served the railway on their own for our first three years, before two-train operation dictated the building of more carriages. Originally 6 were built, but 3 (nos. 4-6) were moved elsewhere in early 2001.
These coaches are our 'third-class' vehicles and get a lot of
use. Each vehicle is nine feet long, and can seat about 7 adults or 12
children, and are numbered 1 to 3. They are currently being progressively modified with suspension.
"First Class" sit-in coaches
After the
toast-racks were considered unsuccessful, coupled with the need for a higher capacity than that offered by the toast-racks, three more sit-astride
coaches were bought in 2003. These vehicles are lower than the original
coaches, and passengers' feet are kept inside as well, making them
safer. Since their introduction, they have been indispensable and as such are
also heavily used. These coaches are eight feet
long each, and weighted with concrete ballast, making them very heavy and noticeable behind the loco.
Click on the thumbnail for a larger image.
Covered coaches
A further set of two
carriages was built in 2002 as toast-racks. These were not initially
successful, and were re-built between 2005/2006 into covered sit-in
coaches which is how they currently run. Each of these coaches is eight
feet long, and can seat either four adults or eight children. They are
currently the only rake of coaches to have active suspension, providing
a particularly smooth ride round our track. During the winter these
coaches can regularly be seen running with David, our cabbed petrol
engine. A further two coaches of this type are currently under
construction.
The picture on the left illustrates these coaches as originally built. The one on the right shows them in their re-built condition with David.
New sit-ins
Constructed in late 2007 to complement Jack and Goliath, this pair of coaches are both 8 feet long, and were built with suspension from new. Put into service at the start of the Christmas break without any formal testing, they're high riding quality have mean that they are considered successful and will see significant use with Jack and other smaller engines, or simply when needed or desired. A third may be built in the future.
Pictures to follow.
Caracus's DCT
The DCT (Driving Control Trailer) belonging to Caracus is 11 feet long and has room for several passengers behind the driver, in traditional sit-astride fashion. It is also possible to use this vehicle as part of our normal coaching stock if we require it. During these periods the drivers' seat is not used, and passengers simply sit on the sit-astride section.
Due to this vehicle being privately-owned, it is not in normal DMR livery, but is painted black and is fitted with suspension.
Other rolling stock
There are currently three small wagons kept at the DMR; a freelance tanker wagon and two slate trucks based on those which ran at the Dinorwic quarries in North Wales. Pictures below illustrate these vehicles.
