LSWR 6 wheel State Saloon of 1877

Built for Queen Victoria in 1877 it was presumably only in use by Her Majesty for 10 years until the reconstruction of bogie saloon No.17 as a Royal Saloon in 1887. It was later referred to by Mr Panter, in 1891, as The Prince of Wales’ Saloon.

This vehicle was strange in its construction by have a body shape with the usual turn under but in plan view the ends of the sides curve inwards, making the end width slightly less then the centre section! The roof was also of curious profile with domed ends.

It was ciphered in June 1910 and its final withdrawal date is not known. However, recently a photograph has come to light in a magazine dated April 1905, showing the State Saloon in the “LSWR Inspection Train”. This photograph shows a train consisting of a modified 22’ PBV (side lookout) of 1884 + 6w Directors Saloon of 1887 + 6w State Saloon of 1877 + modified 22’ PBV (caboose) of 1884. Kits of all of these vehicles are available from SBM to build this train.

More details of the State Saloon are contained in “LSWR Carriages Volume 1” by Gordon Weddell (p81).