Liverpool Overhead Railway Body - first class car no. 7 - Free to good home

Following a review of the items in the Suburban Electric Railway Association (SERA) collection and based upon what the group can realistically hope to restore in the future the decision has been taken to offer the body of Liverpool Overhead Railway first class trailer car no. 7 to any interested party. The body is offered free of charge but the new owner must collect it from its current site in Kent and relocate it at their own expense. The SERA feels it will never be able to progress this project in the future and would like to see it offered another chance before disposing of it.

The body has been in the care of the SERA for 25 years, having previously been at Steamport, Southport. To date no restoration work has ever been undertaken. The condition of the body is poor, it had all its interior fittings removed prior to going to Southport, except for one seat and the screens where the two sliding doors are on each side. The underframe is believed to be the original one from 1898 and is constructed of hardwood and in good condition. The body was modernised in 1947 with aluminium panelling over the timber framework and sliding doors fitted. The ceiling has suffered water damage over the years and the roof canvas is in poor condition. The vehicle has been sheeted over for the last decade. The current sheeting is not included in any transfer of ownership.

The structure of the body is reasonable on the ends and one bodyside but has been damaged on one side and the side at one end has become detached in the area of the door and is now only held on by the roof joints so would present a considerable restoration challenge. A section of the floor has been removed adjacent to the door at the other end from the damage to the bodyside.

The vehicle lost its original bogies when it left the Liverpool Overhead Railway and for the last 40 years has sat on a pair of accommodation bogies (believed to be from Horwich works). THESE BOGIES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE OFFER OF TRANSFER and will be retained by the SERA.

The vehicle was offered to the Liverpool City Museum in 2018 and they declined it.

The body may be suitable for a shed, man cave or glamping conversion in the right hands and any interested parties are requested to get in touch with the SERA by email to sera01uk@yahoo.co.uk a viewing can be arranged by prior appointment. Please note the photo of the vehicle uncovered dates from 1998 but all other photos are recent.