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|construc = BR Wolverton
|status = In service
|carno = 34754DB975128|livery = Maroon (unlined)|othernos = ADB975128W34754, E34754, ADB 975128
|designed =
|diagram = 182
|lot = 30157
|cartype = [[:Category:Carriage Type BSK|BSK]]
|topscode = [[:Category:Carriage Type BSK|AB21]] (as built), QPV
|seats = N/A (24 standard as built)
|built = 1955
|years6 =
|events6 =
}}The '''34754''' began life as a '''BR Mark 1 Brake Corridor Second Corridor ''' (BSK) seats , seating 24 passengers in 4 compartments. The GuardA more detailed description of the BSK can be found under sister coach [[BR 35219 Brake Corridor Second|35219]]. It was later converted by BR into a mess & tool van, a role it still fulfils for the SVR's area which occupies around half the carriage includes a large luggage compartmentPermanent Way department.
==34754 in service and preservation==BR Mark 1 Brake Corridor Second (BSK) 34754 B34754 was built at Wolverton in 1955 to diagram number Diagram 182 of lot number (AB21), Lot 30157. It was later converted for use entered service in the Western region as a breakdown mess & tool van at CambridgeW34754 in May 1956, moving to the Eastern region and being renumbered E34754 in September 1968.<refname=Longworth>Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey[[Bibliography#Other References|Longworth (2013)]] p.161.</ref>
In January 1973 it was converted for Departmental use as a breakdown mess & tool van at Cambridge, receiving the Departmental number ADB 975128 and [[TOPS code|TOPS category code]] QPV. The new internal layout consisted of the toilet and the first two passenger compartments in their original locations, a kitchen, handwash and overall drying area, a mess room, and locker/tool area<ref name=SVR128>SVR News 128, pp. 36-38, ''Permanent Way Tool/Mess Van'', Cedric Jameson</ref>. ===34754 arrived 's Departmental number===[[Bibliography#Other References|Longworth (2013)]] states that E34754 was allocated departmental number ADB 975127 with ADB 975128 'carried in error'. It similarly states that E34414 (see below) was allocated departmental number ADB 975128, with ADB 975127 'carried in error'. However other sources suggest that E34754 carried ADB 975128 in use, including pictures on departmentals.com (see links below). ==34754 in preservation== Up to the mid-1990s, mess facilities for the Permanent Way staff while working lineside consisted of a brake van with no washing or toilet facilities and only crude cooking arrangements, with tools being carried in a separate tool van. Permanent Way Manager, Gerry Carter therefore began investigating the possibility of acquiring a tool/mess coach to improve the conditions for his staff.<ref name=SVR128/> The first coaches that Gerry inspected had either been robbed or vandalised. However in mid-1997, two of SVR 's full-time C&W staff visited the North Norfolk Railway to inspect carriage bogies for possible purchase. A conversation revealed that the NNR had acquired ADB 975128 for its bogies only, although the body and interior were complete. The coach was inspected at Peterborough where it was in November store, after which a deal was struck whereby the SVR's P-Way volunteers would purchase the coach body for £500. The entire coach including the bogies would then be transported to the SVR, with the NNR sharing the transport costs including the return of the bogies back to Norfolk.<ref name=SVR128/> The coach arrived at Kidderminster on, or shortly after, 30 October 1997 from Peterborough.<refgroup="note">The contemporary report in SVR news gives the arrival date as 30 October 1997; the 1998 Stock Book Ninth Editionstates 17 November 1997.</ref> It was quickly lifted to enable the bogies to be returned, with ADB 975128 being place on a temporary set of bogies as part of the same lift. The body Kidderminster C&W staff offered the use of this coach the [[Carriage Repair Works|Kidderminster paint shop]] over the Christmas break which allowed the roof to be striped, repaired and repainted. The next few months were spent in Kidderminster yard while a start was put made on stripping out surplus parts of the interior and replacing rotten bodywork.<ref name=SVR128/> An ambitious plan was developed to convert the bogies coach to a driving trailer with 'Blue Star' multiple working equipment and driving desk fitted, with the intention that it could be used to drive with the train locomotive at the rear. A new internal layout would comprise the Driving end, emergency equipment in the first compartment, a passenger compartment, a kitchen/mess room, a handwash / overall drying area, a toilet relocated to the middle of the coach 34414 (approximately where the original guard's compartment was), and the tool area (potentially including a generator).<ref name=SVR128/> In late September 1998 the coach, still on its temporary bogies, was moved to [[Bridgnorth]] where the body conversion would be carried out. Around the same time J.J. Smith was informed of a similar coach 34414 (later ADB 975127) which was in storage at Scunthorpe and due to be scrapped). A visit by Gerry Carter and Brian Bessey confirmed that although it was in poor condition, it stood on a good set of bogies for which Railtrack wanted £1,000. It carries was due to be transferred to the scrap yard the following day, but quick negotiations confirmed it was easier to purchase the Departmental number ADB975128whole coach, and is owned by which was transported to the SVR Paround the end of October 1998. The body of 34754 was transferred onto the bogies from 34414, with the body of 34414 then being broken up in early 1999.<ref name=SVR128/> The internal conversion was subsequently completed by owners [[The SVR Permanent Way FundFund]], who partly funded by £1,500 from the [[SVRA]].<ref name=SVR128/> Although use as a driving trailer has not happened in practice, it sees regular use as the Civil Engineers ' Mess and Tool Van. It carries the Departmental number DB 975128 (rather than the ADB 975128 it carried when preserved). <gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">BR_34754_20200219.jpg|34754 at Highley, February 2020, seen from the Driving EndBR_34754_Kidderminster.jpg|34754 (ADB 975128) in Kidderminster yard shortly after preservation, seen from the same end (picture: [[David Williams|David C. Williams]]) </gallery>
==See also==
*[[Carriages#BR Designed Coaches | List of carriages]]
==Notes==
<references group="note"/>
==References==
==Links==
*[http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrustrhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=4384 34754 on vintagecarriagestrustRailway Heritage Register On-Line]*[https://www.departmentals.com/photo/975128 departmentals.orgcom] picture of ADB 975128 at Peterborough in July 1993*[https://www.departmentals.com/photo/975128a departmentals.com] picture of ADB 975128 at Bridgnorth in 2003, still in original livery but with the body conversion part completed. *[https://www.departmentals.com/photo/975127 departmentals.com]<br>picture of ADB 975127 at Scunthorpe in 1993
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