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GWR 9103 Nondescript Saloon

4,477 bytes added, 13:53, 17 May 2021
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{{Infobox carriage
|image = GWR G58 third saloon 9103 at HighleyGWR_9103_20150411.jpg
|caption = GWR 9103 Nondescript Saloon
|construc = GWR Swindon
|weight = 38t 0cwt
|built = 1929
|seats = 44 40 unclassified (as built)
|years1 = 1972
|events1 = Preserved on SVR
|years6 =
|events6 =
}}'''GWR Nondescript Saloon 9103 ''' of 1929 is the final Collett version of the Churchward prototype 1912 ‘toplight’ 'toplight' nondescript saloon [[GWR 9055 Nondescript Saloon | GWR 9055]], and of 1912. The SVR is one of also home to a batch of ten built in 1929. Like 9055 and third nondescript saloon, [[GWR 9369 Nondescript Saloon | GWR 9369]], it seated 44 passengers in two of 1923. The saloons with a side-corridor connection and was used were built for private hireand excursion work, the term ‘nondescript’ 'nondescript' signifying it they was not allocated to any one specific class such as first or third. The Collett version displays the characteristics of the GWR ‘bow-ended’ era, without the ‘toplight’ windows of the prototype.
Following withdrawal in From the early 1960snear end as seen, the layout of 9103 became part of the “Westward Television Train”comprises a toilet, two saloons with exterior doors at each end and an exhibition train which visited 22 towns to publicise the opening of Westward Television in 1961.<ref>[http://www.78rpm.co.uk/westward.htm 78rpm.co.uk] (Retrieved 8 July 2015)</ref> It arrived at [[Bewdley]] on 29 January 1972interconnecting door, having been privately purchased from Danygraig, Swanseaa single compartment with an exterior door, a brake/luggage compartment with double doors and was returned to service in 2013another toilet. The high quality restoration of On the coach resulted in far side as seen, the Heritage Railway Association winning side corridor has a matching external door layout. The two saloons each seat 16 passengers and the title compartment seats 8 for a nominal total capacity of Overall Winner in the Carriage and Wagon category of the [[Awards|Heritage Railway Association Awards]] in November 201540.<ref name="SVRNews192">SVR News 192, "Great Western (SVR) Association Progress", Gareth J. Price</ref>
As built, the two saloons bore similarity internally to contemporary London Underground surface stock, being finished in Edwardian style mahogany woodwork with inward-facing bench type seats along each side. Between the bench seats was a central folding table which made access to the seats somewhat awkward. The upholstery was a dark brown moquette, the standard for first class in the period. Externally the Collett version displays the characteristics of the GWR 'bow-ended' era, without the 'toplight' windows of the prototype<ref name=GWSVRA>[http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/9103-a-short-history.html GW(SVR)A, ''A Short History of 9103'', Mick Haynes]</ref><ref name=Harris>[[Bibliography#Other References|Harris (1966)]] pp. 92,150.</ref>. ==Service==9103 was one of ten built at Swindon as Lot 1400 to Diagram G58, entering service in March 1929. Their original duties are not known, although they may have been used as inspection carriages.<ref name=Longworth>[[Bibliography#Other References|Longworth (2018)]] Vol 1, pp.103, 172.</ref> Renumbering under BR followed the normal process, and by the early 1950s the arrival of BR standard open thirds saw W9103W and the other brake saloons allocated two each to the five excursion sets. They were eventually displaced in turn by BR standard open brake thirds, but despite their unusual internal layout survived in general relief and excursion work until the early 1960s. They were the last open saloons in general service to carry the work 'Saloon' in bold sans-serif lettering.<ref name=Harris/> 9103 was allocated to Plymouth for most of its time and was also involved in a fire at Fratton in 1950.<ref name=GWSVRA>[http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/9103-a-short-history.html GW(SVR)A, ''A Short History of 9103'', Mick Haynes]</ref> After withdrawal from BR passenger service in September 1961, W9103W was overhauled to take part in the "Westward Television Train", an exhibition train which visited 22 towns behind [[City of Truro]] to publicise the opening of Westward Television in 1961.<ref>[http://www.78rpm.co.uk/westward.htm 78rpm.co.uk] (Retrieved 8 July 2015)</ref>. It was then transferred into Internal User stock and renumbered 079124 for use as an office<ref name=Longworth/><ref name=GWSVRA/>. ==Preservation==9103 was first located 'off the rails' at Swansea Landore, but while preservation plans were drawn up, the vehicle was re-railed and sent to nearby Danygraig. It was eventually privately purchased from there by Phil James, becoming the first vehicle to arrive at [[Bewdley]] on 29 January 1972. After arrival, the roof was made waterproof and work began to replace the interior as closely as possible to the original layout.<ref>SVR News 24</ref><ref>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref> By the end of 1973 the ceilings had been completely replaced as had a missing partition and the missing brake gear. The wiring was also reinstalled, with Phil James carrying out much of the work.<ref>SVR News 27, 28, 30</ref><ref name=GWSVRA/> 9103 was then bought by Mick Haynes who continued the restoration with the aid of only a small team including family members.<ref name=GWSVRA/> In the early 1980s 9103 spent several years inside Bewdley Goods Shed to the evident frustration of the Wagon Group; with reports in SVR News including 'tongue in cheek' comments such as "''Next door in the main goods shed, however, the grass continues to grow around Mick Haynes' nondescript saloon 9103; shame we can't evict it and get another couple of wagons in!''"<ref>SVR News 74</ref> By the late 1980s 9103 was back out in the open, with the inevitable consequence that "''Despite the fact that it is partly sheeted over, it no sooner dries out than it gets soaked again. The Haynes' descend on it "en famille" every weekend only to find that rain stopped play.''"<ref>SVR News 87</ref> Progress nevertheless continued slowly through the 1990s, with occasional short reports that "''Restoration is proceeding steadily''".<ref>SVR News 115 (Summer 1995), SVR News 128 (Summer1998) etc.</ref> In 2004 the GW(SVR)A created a web page which fully documented the restoration after that time. The page may be seen [http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/9103_restoration.html here]. By 2007 it appeared possible that 9103 might be ready for traffic in 2008,<ref>SVR News 157</ref> but in the event the restoration was not completed until 2013. 9103 was rolled out for 'official' pictures to be taken at Bewdley on Thursday 15 July,<ref>SVR News 183</ref> with the Association arranging a special train to mark the completion on Wednesday 18 September 2013.  The high quality restoration of the coach resulted in the it winning the title of Overall Winner in the Carriage and Wagon category of the [[Awards|Heritage Railway Association Awards]] in November 2015.<ref name="SVRNews192">SVR News 192, "Great Western (SVR) Association Progress", Gareth J. Price</ref> 9103 is owned by [[Great Western (SVR) Assoc. | The Great Western (SVR) Association]] <ref>[http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/stock_list.html GW(SVR)A stock list]</ref> and is in service, normally appearing in the GWR2 set. It is finished in a period correct GWR 1928-34 chocolate and cream livery featuring the ‘coat 'coat of arms’ arms' logo.
<gallery>
File:GWR_Coat_of_Arms.jpg | GWR Coat of Arms
==See also==
*[[Carriages| List of carriages]]
==References==
SVR Stock Book, Ninth Edition<br>
Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey<br>
<references />
[[Category: Carriage Type BTO]]
[[Category: Rolling stock owned by the Great Western (SVR) Association]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
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