Welcome to the Curio Coach
The Curio Coach is based on Platform 2 at the East Anglian Railway Museum, it is run by the Colchester Branch of the Museum selling 2nd hand books and magazines.
About the Coach
The Coach is a Great Eastern Railway mainline 3rd Class Compartment Coach, it was constructed at the GER's works at Stratford, East London in approximately 1890.
The Coach had six compartments, three of which were for smokers. Originally, it had upholstered seats, air brakes, oil lighting – but no heating! This was added in LNER days after 1923.
It had six wheels – a short and light coach by modern standards. As longer and heavier (Bogie) coaches became available, it was put to use on branch line services (such as the line through the Museum).
Eventually, it was withdrawn and sold out of service in 1935. It lost its wheels and became part of a bungalow that was erected at Homersfield, near Bungay in Suffolk. Here it was used as an evacuee’s home in the Second World War – with no mains water or electricity.
The coach body was brought to the Museum in 1982, by one of our members, Mr. Reg Robinson, who was himself an evacuee and became familiar with it during this period. It is now acting as a shop, selling second – hand goods for the benefit of the Museum.
There are two sections in the Curio Coach which are opened to the public.The end compartment (pictured left) contains a range of 2nd hand railway books and collections of railway magazines.
The centre section of the Coach has a selection of individual magazines, videos and books available for purchase. These are self service facilities - please place the money for the items in the small chimney which is on the table.
Stock Queries, Online Sales and Donations to the Coach
Due to the large amount of magazines etc within the coach, we are unable to answer queries as to whether we have certain items in stock, however you are welcome to come along and browse. We also sell 2nd hand books in the Railway Shop at the Museum.
Due to large numbers in stock and the declining demand for 2nd hand railway magazines we can no longer accept donations of these items for display in the Coach, however if you have any railway books or videos which you would like to donate we are happy to accept these, please bring your donation along to the Museum Reception. Thank you for your help.