Mystery rail vehicle in Garden, Lewisham, SE London

[Shimbleshanks]

A friend of mine says he has spotted, from a train, what looks to be a track maintenance vehicle in the back garden of a house bordering the railway.
He describes it as a 'pod with windscreen for driver and mate. Yellow livery looks genuine. Seems to be standard, not narrow-gauge.'

No indication how it got into the garden.

No photo available, unfortunately.

Address is Somerset Gardens, SE13.

Any ideas what it might be and how it got there?

 

[EbbwJunction1]

There's no trace of it on Google Maps, albeit that the current version is from March 2023.

 

[zwk500]

Could it have been a Wickham Trolley, quite a common engineer's vehicle at one time? https://www.avrht.org/engineeringvehicles/wickhamtrolley

There's no trace of it on Google Maps, albeit that the current version is from March 2023.

There's *something* in a garden nearest the railway, the only one not blocked by trees in the images, but it's looks more shed than railway vehicle on Google Street View.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

There's *something* in a garden nearest the railway, the only one not blocked by trees in the images, but it's looks more shed than railway vehicle on Google Street View.

Yes, I can see that now - but I think that you're right.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Looks very much like the a cab section of one of these when viewed from google street view?

Rail Data Photo View

www.ltsv.com

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Are we talking about the black object to the right of the house?

 

[Ash Bridge]

If viewing from streetview it’s to the left of the property

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I saw it the other day, you can see it from the Lewisham flyover right?

 

[sqwizz]

Had a look on street view; that's a Southeastern Class 465. No doubt about it. (This was just a joke. I'm sorry)

BTW if you switch the Street View date to 2020 you can see it better. (This part is true)

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Had a look on street view; that's a Southeastern Class 465. No doubt about it.

BTW if you switch the Street View date to 2020 you can see it better

Thanks - but I'm afraid that it's not clear to me! I'm not saying that you're wrong, just that I can't see it!

 

[Darandio]

Had a look on street view; that's a Southeastern Class 465. No doubt about it.

BTW if you switch the Street View date to 2020 you can see it better

Indeed there is. But that isn't what the thread is about?

 

[Haywain]

Had a look on street view; that's a Southeastern Class 465. No doubt about it.

It (the thing in the garden, not on the viaduct) doesn't look anything like a 465 to me. Here's a screengrab showing what we're talking about:

 

[zwk500]

It (the thing in the garden, not on the viaduct) doesn't look anything like a 465 to me. Here's a screengrab showing what we're talking about:
View attachment 178498

I assumed the 465 post was tongue in cheek, but thanks for the clip which does show a clearer view of what I thought was a shed but now definitely does look like some form of track maintenance vehicle!

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Yes, I see what you mean now, although I've no idea what it is - thanks!

It was still there in March 2023.

 

[Ash Bridge]

I’m still fairly convinced it’s a cab superstructure from a DR769XX on track plant machine or similar.

 

[Trackman]

I’m still fairly convinced it’s a cab superstructure from a DR769XX on track plant machine or similar.

I would say it's a definitely an MPV.
Seen Colas ones with those sirens.

 

[Class15]

Definitely looks like an MPV cab. How on earth did it get in there?!

 

[chrisjo]

Not a mystery. DR98306.....

https://www.ontrackplant.com/otp/98306

'March 2020 - cab moved to a line side garden in Lewisham area'

https://traincabs.co.uk/story/

 

[43066]

I’ve been wondering what that was for years! Thanks to the OP for asking the question, and to those who responded for answering.