LSWR M7 0-4-4T No 30125 with an up train passing Lymington Jct on 4 June 1960.

The first coach is instantly recognised as an 60’ ex-SECR ‘Long Ten’. These were the last coaching stock built by/for the SECR and received SR diagram 52. They were built between 1918 and 1923 and seated 100 passengers in 10 compartments. The seating was rather austere (uncomfortable!) as it was envisaged they would be converted and incorporated into electric sets that the SECR were planning for inner suburban workings. As it was they all remained steam-hauled stock through their existence and though some were in sets others were employed as single coach strengthening vehicles, and in this respect many travelled widely with
one employed on the Seaton branch to augment the two-coach pull-push set. There were three different body versions – the first with traditional wooden panelling, the second with the lower half using matchboarding, and the final design having flush steel sides (though with square bolections) and ends. Two of the latter are preserved on the Bluebell Railway. Many had a long life with the last being withdrawn from service in 1962.

Photo: D.M.C. Hepburne-Scott / Rail Archive Stephenson