The ‘Barnards Belle’ is an iconic 7 1/4 unit, recognisable through the miniature railway community. She was built in 1993 by John Osbourne of the Chessington Locomotive & Lawnmower Works, part of the Mid Hants ‘Watercress Line’ Railway. Built in a Dark Southern Green Livery, affectionally nicknamed ‘the green monster’.
The unit was purchased jointly by 5 members of the Chingford & District Model Engineering Society. At Chingford, she was repainted into her current Pullman Umber & Cream, with the names ‘Emily’ and ‘Maude’ applied to the side later on – named after the ladies that completed the upholstery for the unit. The new livery is completed with the Pullman logo on the side.
Eventually, it was decided to sell the unit, being purchased by a private member for use at Barnards. After arrival, the names were changed to ‘Lydia’ and ‘Vera’.
The unit is generally used for shuttle services between Burtonshaw and Lake End (via Belvedere Loop) alongside our ‘Barnards Belle 2’, which was built in 2023 as a close replica.