Mystery SR oval plate

[32475]

Can anyone help me to identify this plate which I bought several years ago? There is an E in a triangle between the S and the R (presumably denoting Eastleigh). It measures 253mm x 152mm or 10”x6”
Unlike many cast plates it has no text below the number where you would often expect to see the works denoted such as Ashford or Lancing.
The red paint is clearly not original.
Thanks in anticipation.

 

[John Webb]

Possibly a bridge number plate from the SR's Eastern Division?

 

[zwk500]

Possibly a bridge number plate from the SR's Eastern Division?

Bridge 1520 would be rather high, even counting the L&GR viaduct arches separately.

I had a look on google etc and the Red background does come up quite often, but any loco/wagon/carriage plats had either 'Southern' on top and 'Railway' on bottom or 'Southern Railway' on top and the works underneath. The 'E' or 'Eastleigh' when cast looks to be cast in the same style as the number, I couldn't see anything with the red triangle.

SR Loco 1520 was originally an SER loco built at Ashford, so I don't think the number plate would be from that loco. The Bluebell do have an ex-LSWR Carriage 1520 but presumably it would have been renumbered in SR service.

 

[Ashley Hill]

The E is very similar to the Eastleigh triangle on shedplates.

 

[Gloster]

A pure guess: a plate indicating that an electric power line goes over the railway. The E indicates Electric, the arrow points up to show it is overhead and the number is its number in the register.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Might it be off a wagon plate?

 

[zwk500]

Might it be off a wagon plate?

Possible, although those normally state the works and lot number, along with date of construction. They're also more normally black and white rather than red and gold.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

There was a similar looking item on sale on Ebay recently. It was described it as a replica (cast in resin) Southern Railway Carriage Number plate.

Southern Railway Carriage Number Plate - Replica | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Southern Railway Carriage Number Plate - Replica at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[eastwestdivide]

1520 is in the right number series for an SR PMV (later TOPS NQV) parcels van, e.g. Paul Bartlett’s pics at

SECR, SR & BR(S) PMV NPCCS Passenger luggage vans

SECR design of 1919, modified with side ventilators by SR, continuing to be built by early BR. Note roof ventilators of SECR also used on some SR - not mentioned in Gould Oakwood Press Southern railway pass. vans - the source for building details on photos. Parkside 4mm kit of SECR and Bachmann...

paulbartlett.zenfolio.com

Some of those pics show an oval plate (albeit indistinctly)

 

[32475]

Thanks all for your replies so far and eastwestdivide your reply concerning an SR PMV sounds like the most plausible. I hadn’t come across Paul Bartlett’s photos before so thanks for that very useful resource.

 

[Gloster]

PMV 1520 was built at Ashford in July 1947 and withdrawn in October 1982. I can’t find a suitable picture in Gould’s book on Southern Railway Passenger Vans, but from what can be seen it looks as though the works and year were normally included on a plate.

 

[Graham H]

Agree with other posters. Its a wagon plate. A similar one is in Lot 196 of the current GC auction.

 

[32475]

Agree with other posters. It’s a wagon plate. A similar one is in Lot 196 of the current GC auction.

I’ve just looked at the GC auction one and it’s exactly the same format. Thanks

 

[Ianigsy]

Withdrawal in 1982 also makes it nicely timed to have passed through Collector’s Corner at some stage.