So the railway opened, with the GWR operating. That company provided engine power—the 2-4-0T no 1384 at first—but coaching stock was not available, and the Company Chairman, Col Archer-Houblon personally purchased four four-wheeled coaches from the Lincoln Wagon and Engine Company; he made them available to the Company on a hire-purchase arrangement, the coaches carrying a plate indicating his ownership in the meantime. Eighteen goods wagons were procured on the same basis. Archer-Houblon had already made loans for some road-surfacing and other works.