Series IIA: LWB hard top (1964)
BBH's inclusion in our collection gives a nod to the little known fact that the nationalisation and later consolidation of Britain's rail networks occurred in 1948, the same year as the manufacture of the first Land Rover. Rivet counters will spot minor non age-related items that have slipped in over BBH's long and active life. However this exhibit's value to LRHC comes in its 'story' not as a concours exhibit. So we have resisted the temptation to 'undo' work carried out by those who have been part of that story.
It is displayed in the British Railways first ever national livery, traces of which were uncovered under a clumsy blue 'makeover' when it left rail service. This livery was used in the early years of British Railways on all road vehicles and mainline rail coaches. This colour scheme was affectionately known amongst rail workers of the time as "Blood and Custard".
More InfoThis LWB, hard top, Series IIA arrived at BR's goods yard at Stewarts Lane, Battersea in 1964 where it was worked hard as a yard runabout until being auctioned out of service some years later. After a period in the the dubious care of a farmer - its Blue period - it was 'rescued' by a railway enthusiast, Jim Barnard, in the 1980's. Jim acquired the vehicle in a sorry state, it having been left unused on the corner of a field for some years. Jim purchased the vehicle for £350 and spent almost 10 times that amount returning BBH to its former splendour.
That said, being a railway man not a LR geek, Jim's chassis up restoration can at best be described as 'loose'. His intention was to create a vehicle that he could drive around the UK, transporting his railway ephemera to shows and exhibitions. Naturally the vehicle regained its original BR livery and fleet numbers. However, for reliability and comfort an age-related Perkins Diesel engine and reconditioned gearbox replaced the seized originals, And Jim selected Series III seating and wing mirrors which he considered were more suitable for how he was to use the vehicle,
Having been restored to its former glory, for the next 30 years this proud Landy appeared at numerous heritage rail locations, most commonly the Bluebell Railway in Sussex, where Jim was a regular volunteer. During this time it has acquired many adornments reflecting Jim's nostalgic railway jaunts, such as the station totem signs dotted inside the roof of the cab, and the Stewarts Yard steam engine identifier plate - 73A - which adorns the front bumper. Careful viewing will also be rewarded in spotting two fragile dockets from its early days at BR's Stewarts Yard.
BBH has certainly not been kept in the shadows, As a historically significant vehicle It has been seen on TV, featured in a number of magazine articles and has appeared throughout this period at many heritage railway and motor events, including taking part in the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society's London to Brighton run.
So far as we are aware this is the only surviving serviceable vehicle of this nature from British Railways' original fleet of Land Rovers. Its notoriety is thus matched by its uniqueness. So much so that it has been used as the reference vehicle for no less than four different diecast scale models that are widely available. We are pleased to be the custodian of such an important, well known and much loved Landy. It is rare to find a vehicle so popular with petrol heads and rail anoraks in equal measure.
As an aside, naturally we couldn't resist sourcing all four of its scale model replicas of BBH to add to the collection archive.
Part of:
Series II/IIA
Working Rovers
The Collection
Vehicle Owner: Founding Trustee
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