Toplight 3668 was built in 1909 as a compartment third to diagram C28 at Swindon and converted to an ambulance coach during the first world war. It was converted back to a compartment third coach in 1922 and remained in service until 1957 when it was converted to a camp coach, being renumbered 9888. The coach was based at Blue Anchor but moved to Norton Fitzwarren prior to purchase by WSRA in 1973.

At 57ft long and 9’ wide, the Toplights were built on oak frames, with wooden cladding and wooden roofs (steel cladding came in later), and were distinguished by their characteristic hammered glass top lights above the compartment windows. These may possibly still be in position on 3668, hidden by the newer sheet steel panelling. Originally the coach had a side corridor on the down side (west side), and eight third class compartments each with an external door on the up side (east side).

Since being in position at Bishops Lydeard station, the coach has been used for staff accommodation and in its present configuration has three
berths, a toilet and sink at the Taunton end, and a lounge area at the Minehead end, with a kitchenette.

Sadly the coach is now beyond reasonable use on the WSR and has been acquired by a Welsh Railway Society who plan to restore it initially as volunteer accommodation with mess facilities and eventually hope to rebuild it for operational use. They see  the coach as a valuable addition to their fledgling heritage rail project and WSRA is pleased that it is going somewhere it will be valued and in time restored.

For more information please contact:

Jacquie Green WSRA General Manager – E: jacquie.green@wsra.org.uk
Jeff Price  WSRA Trustee – E: jeff.price@wsra.org.uk