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}}'''GWR 1257''' is an outside framed GWR Milk Van (PMVG), telegraphic code 'SIPHON G'. It ==Service==The design dates back to 1913, although this example was one of the sixth batch, built by Metro Cammell<ref>SVR Stock Book states Swindon</ref> in 1927 as Lot 1378 to diagram number Diagram O11(this Diagram is in the Coach series rather than the Wagon series). It is classified as [[:Category:Non Passenger Carrying Coaching Stock (NPCCS)|Non Passenger Carrying Coaching Stock (NPCCS)]], ‘brown vehicles’ of this type being fitted for use in passenger services. They were intended mainly to carry milk churns but also saw use on other duties, especially newspaper traffic.  1257 saw service with the GWR and BR(W). Prior to preservation it was also in Departmental use as No 079060.<ref name=SB9>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref>  ==Preservation==1257 is believed to be the only remaining outside framed example,<ref>GW(SVR)A</ref> and as such was identified as being of 'regional importance' by the NRM.<ref name=SB9/> The coach was purchased from Wantage Road near Didcot, arriving on the SVR in March 1976.<ref name=SB9/> The roof was re-canvassed in winter 1977 and other work completed in time for use in the Autumn 1978 [[Autumn Gala|Enthusiasts’ Weekend]].<ref>SVR News 49</ref> In winter of that year it was used as [[Santa's Grotto]] at [[Arley]]; when not in use for that purpose it served as the Carriage & Wagon Department timber store.<ref>SVR News 50</ref>  Use as Santa’s Grotto continued for some years. In 1985 it was proposed for 1257 to go on show at Swindon in August as part of a demonstration goods train in the GWR 150 event,<ref>SVR News 75</ref> later cancelled after the closure of the Swindon works was announced just before the event was scheduled to take place.<ref>SVR News 77</ref> The coach received major body repairs at [[Carriage Repair Works|Kidderminster Carriage Works]] in late 1991 before returning to Santa duties.<ref>SVR News 101/102</ref>  Further repair work was carried out in 1997.<ref>SVR News 124</ref> On 24th October 1998 owning group the [[Great Western (SVR) Assoc. | Great Western (SVR) Association]] celebrated 25 years with a special train from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth which used their locomotive [[GWR Mogul 7325 | Collett Mogul 9303]] and vintage GW set [[GWR 3930 Full Third|3930]], [[GWR 9055 Nondescript Saloon|9055]], [[GWR 9369 Nondescript Saloon|9369]] and 1257.<ref>SVR News 128</ref>  In spring 2000 the SVR acquired several [[BR 80328 Post Office Sorting Van|Post Office Sorting Vans]] for use on Santa duties.<ref>SVR News 132</ref> From around that time 1257 was used as a mobile store rather than a grotto. It underwent a major overhaul between 2004 and 2007.<ref>[http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/1257_overhaul.html Great Western (SVR) Assoc. overhaul pages]</ref> Another Association celebration train with the toplights and 1257 ran on 27 September 2008.<ref>SVR News 163</ref> The interior was restored and repainted in 2014.  In 2019, 1257 formed part of the 'German troop train' in the battle staged at that year's 'Step Back to the 1940s' event.

*[http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/1257.html 1257 on gw-svr-a.org.uk]<br><references />

[[Category: Rolling stock owned by the Great Western (SVR) Association]] [[Category: Featured articles]]