Category:Wheelchair-accessible adapted carriages
While all trains are wheelchair accessible, due to the historic design of carriages with their narrow doors and gangways, some of the carriages' accommodation is not suitable. The SVRSevern Valley Railway has sought to provide wheelchair-accessible adapted carriages with the support of groups on the railway and external bodies. These specially adapted vehicles, which allow wheelchair access, are available on certain trains and can accommodate wheelchairs that are within the dimensions prescribed in government regulations covering public transport (700mm wide by 1200mm long). Disability-friendly toilets are also fitted in some of these vehicles. The SVRSevern Valley Railway issues ‘Wheelchair Guidance for Passengers’.
The three complete Mark 1 conversions have all used a luggage door.[note 1] 80776 was the first, which used a BG. TSOs 4690 and 4399 followed. The Railway tries to, where possible, provide a disabled access toilet rather than just a large vestibule. This isn't however practicable on 9055 and 26880. 4399 and 4690 have one complete seating bay and half of the next one removed from the toilet end, the vestibule walls removed. The door pillars were moved to accommodate a pair of full width doors. This gives a doorway width of just under 4ft to better provide for disabled ramps and the greater size of some wheelchairs. Removing both toilets gives more space for a fully compliant accessible toilet, into which are also fitted baby changing tables. Carefully planned walls have also allowed for buffet trolleys to pass more easily.[1]
At all stations, excluding Northwood Halt, ramps are available which connect between the train and the platform. The train crew and station staff will assist passengers in wheelchairs if required.
Notable events
- 1995: BR Gangwayed Brake 80776 won the Association of Railway Preservation Societies' “Coach of the Year” award for its conversion to a passenger carrying vehicle for up to 16 wheelchair users and 15 accompanying passengers.
- 1998: LNER 24105 Open Third entered SVRSevern Valley Railway service incorporating a wheelchair area
- 26 August 2003: SVR Wolverhampton Branch commenced the wheelchair accessible conversion of BR 4690 Tourist Standard Open, which was in use by 4 August 2008.
- August/September 2010: work undertaken on Driving Motor Brake Second M50933 under contract to Bewdley C&W provided the conversion of an area in the diesel unit for use by visitors in wheelchairs. There is plenty of space for wheelchairs and four comfortable seats for the use of others who may be travelling with them.[2]
- May 2016: The SVR announced that the SVR Charitable Trust had won a grant of £75,000 in a Department for Transport competition, for a scheme to transform the Railway’s travel offering for disabled passengers. The scheme involved the restoration and conversion of BR 4399 Tourist Standard Open and 80776, and the purchase of lightweight, portable ramps for each of the Railway’s wheelchair-accessible carriages.
- November 2017: work began on the conversion of GWRGreat Western Railway CollettCharles Benjamin Collett, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the Great Western Railway 1922-1941 Bow-Ended Coach No 5043 to GWR 9581 Wheelchair accessible Buffet Car, with saloon accommodation for disabled passengers and their companions at one end and an accessible buffet counter at the other.
- 13 August 2019: 4399 returned to service incorporating adjustments similar to sister 4690; the removal of seats to allow a pair of double doors to be fitted on each side, next to a wheelchair parking area.
The carriages are:
Set | Vehicle | Notes |
---|---|---|
Set C, British Rail Mark 1s in Crimson & Cream | BR 4399 Tourist Standard Open | |
Set GW2, GWRGreat Western Railway coaches, in Chocolate & Cream | GWR 9581 Wheelchair accessible Buffet Car | In course of conversion |
Set L, LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway in Maroon | LMS Brake Third Corridor 26880 | |
Set L, LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway in Maroon | LMS Brake Third Corridor 26921 | In course of conversion |
Set M, British Rail Mark 1s in Maroon | BR 4690 Tourist Standard Open | |
Set N, LNERLondon & North Eastern Railway & GNRGreat Northern Railway Teak | Wheelchair Open Third (WTO) 24105 | |
Set S, 'The Severn Valley Limited' diner set in GWRGreat Western Railway Chocolate & Cream | BR 80776 Brake Gangwayed | Adapted as wheelchair dining car |
Set T, the 'Toplights' | GWR 9055 Nondescript Saloon | Set in occasional use |
Class 108 DMU | Driving Motor Brake Second M50933 |
Notes
- ↑ Some conversions use a standard door plus a smaller 'kitchen' door, a one-third width door that was built to that size so an oven tray could be passed through sideways and straight into the oven, which used to sit nearly opposite.
References
- ↑ National preservation 28 December 2022
- ↑ SVRA forum, 5 December 2010 (Retrieved 24 August 2019)
Subcategories
This category has only the following subcategory.
Pages in category ‘Wheelchair-accessible adapted carriages’
The following 9 pages are in this category, out of 9 total.