A few months after withdrawal two centre trailer coaches (MSJ&AR Nos. 117 and 121/BR Nos. M29666 and M29670) were purchased by the AERPS for preservation. The two coaches were moved to the Yorkshire Dales Railway (now Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway) at Embsay near Skipton where their arrival enabled the line to introduce a passenger service. After several years the coaches' lack of vacuum braking (they were originally air braked) meant that their use on passenger trains had to be discontinued and the condition of them soon began to deteriorate as they were stored in the open. In 1983 the coaches (together with the Society's ex-Army box van) were transferred to the Midland Railway Centre (now Midland Railway-Butterley) at Butterley in Derbyshire where they were reunited with MSJ&AR coach No. 114/BR No. M29663 [subsequently acquired by the AERPS in 2006 for spares and broken up]. Both coaches are now kept undercover in the large Matthew Kirtley Museum building and are on display to the public.
Third class compartment in original condition
Photo:- NRM
During 1990s major restoration work was carried out on the coaches beginning with the replacement of the steel panelling and roof repairs. However further work needs to be carried out including refitting and re-upholstery of the compartments, and the fitting of vacuum brakes. The Society has made an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.