GWR 58725 Improvised Gunpowder Van

GWRGreat Western Railway 58725 Improvised Gunpowder Van
GWRGreat Western Railway 58725 Improvised Gunpowder Van
Built By	GWRGreat Western Railway Swindon
Status	Operational
Number	58725
Other Numbers	W 204988
History
Built	1896
Diagram	V6
Lot	117
Type	4-wheel ventilated van
Capacity	10 tons
Telegraphic code	CONE
1977	Arrived on SVRSevern Valley RailwaySVRA:Severn Valley Railway AssociationSVRS:Severn Valley Railway Society
1985	GWRGreat Western Railway 150 main line appearance
Goods Wagons

58725 was originally built at Swindon as an ‘Iron MinkGWR telegraphic code signifying a covered goods van’ general merchandise van in 1896 to Diagram V6, Lot 117. It was converted to an Improvised Gunpowder Van (telegraph code CONE) and loaned to the Southern Railway in 1938. Modifications included the blocking of the vents at each end. It was reconverted back to a standard goods van upon its return to the GWRGreat Western Railway in 1945. The wagon also saw service with the Longmoor Military Railway and post-war with BRBritish Rail or British Railways(W).

Preservation

58725 arrived on the SVRSevern Valley RailwaySVRA:Severn Valley Railway AssociationSVRS:Severn Valley Railway Society on 29 April 1977 from Cashmores at Great Bridge, carrying the BRBritish Rail or British Railways(W) number W 204988. Evidence of its SRSouthern Railway livery was discovered during restoration in 1980, which mainly involved the replacement of a quantity of defective steelwork and the return of the van to a CONE in black livery with a red cross.

In 1985, 58725 appeared on the main line when it was used in the GW 150 demonstration freight train which ran to Newport behind GWR freight loco 2857.

58725 received further repaints as a CONE in 1997 and 2011 (roof only). It was most recently overhauled and repainted as a gunpowder van during 2015, the work mainly involving new door lintels and replacement of the steel panels on two doors.. The main picture shows the van at Highley shortly after that overhaul.

• 

  Bewdley 2012 (Gareth Price)

58725 is owned by The GWR 813 Preservation Fund.

See also

List of goods wagons

Links

• 58725 on www.gwr813.org
  
• 58725 on Railway Heritage Register On-Line
• SVR Forum thread with pictures of 2015 restoration