There were only two ABCM cars; numbers 2 and 3. Ten of these cars were planned as far back as 1916 but only two ran in service.
They were "double ended" cars; a driving compartment at each end. This made them suitable for single car running on shuttle services with low patronage.
Until now there has been a great deal of conflicting information about the history of these cars. The main reasons have been the lack of specific information; reliance on planning lists which were never followed and the incorrect interpretation of "Register" records. Other source material has come to light which clearly shows the history as outlined below.
Vehicle.............SV # Date...... Loc History............SV Notes
BDBD 2.VA - 4/10/1900 NCO Built new -
circa 1910 - To BC 2.VA -
BC 2.VA 1st 30/ 6/1911 - Modified 50' - 57'3"
30/ 5/1917 - To ABCM 2.VA -
*ABCM 2.VA - 31/10/1923 - To M 156.VB -
M 156.VB - 12/ 7/1963 - Off Register -
BDBD 3.VA - 14/ 3/1901 NLO Built new -
circa 1910 - To BC 3.VA -
BC 3.VA 1st 6/11/1911 - Modified 50' - 57'3"
19/ 1/1917 - To ABC 8.VA -
ABC 8.VA 1st 28/ 6/1917 - To ABCM 3.VA -
*ABCM 3.VA - 17/ 9/1921 - To M 157.VB Npt:13/9/21
M 157.VB - 15/ 9/1929 - To ABM 157.VA -
ABM 157.VA - 7/10/1955 - To CM 10.VA -
CM 10.VA - / /1972 NWS Note R104: Waiting scrap
circa 1986 - Off Register [v]
10/ 9/1994 SER Preserved [SXC]: Seymour Pres. Group
Code SV Date Sys Description Type
ABC VA 1910 - VR Bogie First/Second/Van Passenger
ABCM VA 1917 - VR Swing Door First/Second/Van Elec. Suburban
ABM VA 1926 - VR Swing Door 1st/2nd Sub. Motor Elec. Suburban
BC VA 1910 - VR Bogie 2nd Class / Van Passenger
BDBD VA 1900 - VR Bogie Sw-door 2nd Class/Van Passenger
CM VA 1921 - VR Suburban Parcels Coach Motor Elec. Suburban
M VB 1921 - VR Swing Door Suburban Motor Elec. Suburban
Code Location / Builder
- -
NCO Newpt, Coleman & Party
NLO Newpt, Loach & Party
NWS Newport Workshops
SER Seymour
References...
[SXC] : Stephen Cleverdon
[v] : History generated by PJV/Not official record