4TC Group

22/08/2025

76275 appeal and overhaul update.

On the 19th August, Driving Trailer Standard Open (DTSO) 76275 was collected from Swanage Railway for the journey to Rampart Engineering at Barrow Hill for overhaul!

Before 76275 arrived at Swanage Railway back in 2017 it only received a quick repaint from Connex Livery to Blue & Grey, and unfortunately time has now caught up with it and a full bodywork overhaul is now required - its first proper overhaul in at least 35 years. This will include removal and resealing of all the window frames (which are leaking), corrosion repairs to the bodywork, and a full interior refit and retrim.

The departure of 76275 for overhaul is an exciting moment for the TC Group as we close in on returning a 3TC to service. Any support or additional donations you can give to making this a reality would be greatly appreciated.

Our recent appeal to raise £20,000 towards the overhaul 76275 got off to a flying start, and now after just a few months we have raised (at the time of writing) £19,182!

With 76275 on its way to overhaul, it would be amazing if we could push our appeal over the line and hopefully build an extra reserve too for any unforeseen work required. For example, the cost of road transport for the move to Rampart is around £6,000 and not included in the fundraising target - this is being paid for from existing reserves which are there to finish the other two coaches.

With the help of the Swanage Railway Trust and a generous supporter, we have over £65,000 in place to begin the overhaul of 76275 - getting us close to our target of £70,000.

If you would like to donate, it can be done in the following ways:

• Visit www.4tcgroup.co.uk and click on the “Donate” page
• Direct bank transfer to Account Number 13462420, Sort Code 20-68-79
• By cheque payable to “Swanage Railway Trust - 4TC Group” and posted to “Swanage Railway Trust - 4TC Group, Station house, Swanage, BH19 1HB

09/03/2025

We have just updated our website to include the most recent update newsletters sent out to our supporters. These detail recent progress with the restoration of our TBSK 70824. They can be found here: https://www.4tcgroup.co.uk/latest.html

Our fundraising appeal to raise £20,000 towards the restoration of DTSO 76275 is still ongoing, details of which can be seen on the attached photo. This is from a flyer we have recently produced. Please visit https://www.4tcgroup.co.uk/donate.html if you would like to support the appeal.

Thank you!

26/01/2025

The Swanage Railway Trust have launched an appeal for the overhaul of DTSO 76275. The target is £20K, so all donations big or small are greatly appreciated.

Please visit https://www.4tcgroup.co.uk/donate.html to see how you can support the appeal.

06/08/2023

On Monday this week we took delivery of 4TC DTSO no. 76301 from Bellingham old station in Northumberland.

76301 (and 76302) have been in use at Bellingham as a cafe and educational space, 76301 having its seats and tables removed to provide the educational space. Both coaches came from 4TC unit no. 417.

We will be putting 76301 in to storage for now whilst we concentrate on getting a 3TC unit up and running using DTSOs 76275 & 76322 and TBSK 70824 (and later to be joined by TFK 70855 & Buffet 69322 when finances allow). But we are formulating longer term plans for 76301 which should see it restored as a spare driving trailer.

76302 will also join us later in the year once The Heritage Centre at Bellingham have finished with it. We thank them for gifting the coaches to us to ensure their continued survival.

If you would like to make a donation towards the restoration of our 4TC then please don’t hesitate get in contact. The transport of 76301 alone cost serval thousand pounds which has had to come from the reserves we have to carry out the restoration work on the other coaches.

Look out for an update soon on the restoration of TBSK 70824!

📸 Ben Dolman & Dan Bennett

15/05/2023

We’re sorry for the lack of updates recently, but work slowed down whilst we were waiting to get TBSK 70824 back to Swanage. This couldn’t really happen until the new concrete lifting pad was finished, and the new lifting jacks were back in position.

The reason for this is because next stage of work on the TBSK is replacement of almost all of the electrical wiring and conduit which runs along the underframe above the bogies, as well as repairs to the air braking system to replace all the stolen copper pipe and fittings.

As you can see, the TBSK was finally lifted on Saturday and work can now commence on these repairs. The cable has been ordered for these repairs at a cost of several thousand pounds!

If you would like to make a donation towards the project, then please visit this link for more details https://www.swanagerailwaytrust.org/giving or send us a message.

When making a donation, please indicate that you wish for your donation to go toward the restoration of the 4TC project.

01/04/2022

It’s here! After our roller blind route indicator was vandalised on DTSO 76275, we decided to upgrade with some high quality German electronics. From the comfort of the cab seat, the driver will be able to display route codes, red tail lights, and most popular emojis.
To contribute towards the cost, please visit www.swanagerailwaytrust.org/giving

22/03/2022

The moment you have all been waiting for is now here - tickets are now on sale for 2022 Diesel Gala!

With an impressive line up of motive power including 37703, D4, 31128, D182 (46045), D7612 along with our resident class 33 locomotives D6515 and 33111 it really is shaping up to be a fantastic event!

Tickets are now available at https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/view/diesel-gala

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for further updates and announcements!

11/02/2022

Today we managed to get the other two unrestored coaches covered with their new tarpaulins. This should help protect them from the elements until their wait in the restoration queue is over.

05/02/2022

26/01/2022

Today the tatty tarpaulins from 76275 were removed, and the broken glass removed from the vandalised route indicator. Looks a lot smarter now.

25/01/2022

Today, the five vehicles from Harmans Cross, were moved down to Swanage. Over the coming weeks, we will fit new tarpaulins , and carry out a few repairs on the two restored coaches. First on the list, new route indicator for DTSO 76275.
Pics Jamie smith/Ben Dolman.