Mark 2 close to Stratford (London) Station

[notverydeep]

I walked along Gibbins Road yesterday evening, adjacent to Stratford Station (close to the new entrance adjacent to the Jubilee line platforms). In the last week or so, a Mark 2b or 2c carriage (TSO) has appeared here, placed on a short section of track at 90 degrees to the road with what appears to be a 'platform' being constructed next to it. I am not sure what use it will be put to - it is standing on an area that is across the road from the DLR and Network Rail tracks, previously in use as a car park. Does anyone know which vehicle this is and what the intended use is?

The seats appear to be intact within. Online sources suggest there are not too many of these remaining. I can't help thinking this sort of vehicle would be a good replacement for the Mark 1s formerly used on the Jacobite operation, with toplights that enable the steam loco to be heard, though I imagine some fairly comprehensive corrosion repairs would be needed (as would air braked locos)...


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[DanNCL]

This looks like the one that was next to Halifax station for many years as part of the Eureka museum.

Note the Serco-Abellio Northern livery, not a livery that Mark 2s ever carried in revenue service.

 

[notverydeep]

Thanks for identifying. That would make it 1969 built 5524 according to the Vintage Carriage Trust database: http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=2837, which according to the entry was moved from that site in October, which fits.

Mk 2c. P 1992: Eureka Children's Museum, Halifax. In open as static picnic coach, paired with Hunslet 2641 of 1941. Fitted with four air-conditoning fans. Interior panels yellow (upper half), blue (lower half). 03/10: repainted in Northern Rail livery. By 10/24: moved to Railway Support Services, Rye Farm, Wishaw, Warwickshire.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Let’s hope it has a better future than being dumped here for however long.

 

[Towers]

Let’s hope it has a better future than being dumped here for however long.

Let’s hope it doesn’t get torched or lose its windows!

 

[Gwr12345]

Let’s hope it doesn’t get torched or lose its windows!

I think it's being turned into a cafe
Edit: Link https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/article...has-appeared-next-to-stratford-station-77477/
Due to be turned into a cafe where you can order verbally or in sign language as part of a regeneration project

 

[Towers]

I think it's being turned into a cafe
Edit: Link https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/article...has-appeared-next-to-stratford-station-77477/
Due to be turned into a cafe where you can order verbally or in sign language as part of a regeneration project

Oh well that’s hopefully a very decent future then

 

[Russel]

Let’s hope it doesn’t get torched or lose its windows!

Sadly, Stratford doesnt fill you with confidence that that won't happen...

 

[73128]

Walked round there today and the external decking is now all in place. The contractor working on that told me that they (another contractor) will soon start walk inside the coach, which will have a servery one end and a toilet at the other. It may be open around March. As others have commented above, it does not appear to be in the safest of locations..

 

[Roast Veg]

As others have commented above, it does not appear to be in the safest of locations..

That's what makes it a regeneration project.

 

[Russel]

That's what makes it a regeneration project.

It's going to take one hell of a regeneration project to transform Stratford!

Just making it feel a bit safer would be a good start.

 

[Mag_seven]

I walked along Gibbins Road yesterday evening, adjacent to Stratford Station (close to the new entrance adjacent to the Jubilee line platforms). In the last week or so, a Mark 2b or 2c carriage (TSO) has appeared here, placed on a short section of track at 90 degrees to the road with what appears to be a 'platform' being constructed next to it. I am not sure what use it will be put to - it is standing on an area that is across the road from the DLR and Network Rail tracks, previously in use as a car park. Does anyone know which vehicle this is and what the intended use is?

The seats appear to be intact within. Online sources suggest there are not too many of these remaining. I can't help thinking this sort of vehicle would be a good replacement for the Mark 1s formerly used on the Jacobite operation, with toplights that enable the steam loco to be heard, though I imagine some fairly comprehensive corrosion repairs would be needed (as would air braked locos)...


gView attachment 170084View attachment 170085

Thread reopened for an update from @notverydeep.

 

[notverydeep]

Mark2 carriage 5524 opened on 5th July 2025 as the 'Carpenters Dialogue Express Café'. It has been re-painted all over in a Southern-ish green, a large section (at least half) of the saloon has seats removed and an interior servery installed. There is also a window hatch style servery, replacing one of the side windows. The coach is alongside a newly constructed wooden platform. The café is operated by a Social Enterprise called the Dialogue Hub which apparently aims to help those with hearing impairments (as noted in the Ian Visits item linked in post 6).

The following item from the Newham Recorder reporting on the opening has a series of pictures showing how the carriage now looks and plus some of the surrounding area, which is the subject of wider regeneration plans as noted upthread (the article also has some discussion of this).

https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/ne...press-cafe-opens-carpenters-estate-stratford/

The regeneration of Carpenters Estate in Stratford will make it a place residents “feel proud of", according to Newham mayor Rokhsana Fiaz.

Dialogue Express Cafe opened on the estate for the first time on Saturday (July 5), staffed by deaf people and run primarily in British Sign Language.

Speaking on a visit the day before, Ms Fiaz said the cafe would “breathe new life into the Carpenters, creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all”.

She said: “This vibrant community hub will not only serve residents of the estate but also invite people from across Newham to connect, collaborate, and enjoy.”

The café has a website here https://dialoguehub.co.uk/dialogue-cafe-2, but with only the briefest mention of the carriage - it is mostly a menu:

Housed in a repurposed train carriage at Dennison Point Car Park, this pop-up café is part of the resident-led regeneration of the area. Visitors are invited to place their orders using British Sign Language, with easy-to-follow guides throughout the space.

Next time I am in Stratford, I will try it out! Hopefully it will be successful...