[[File:Platform 2 at Kidderminster Town - geograph.org.uk - 247100.jpg |thumb|300px|right | Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works (Wikimedia Commons)]]
The '''Carriage Repair Works ''' is split across two main sites. The most conspicuous is the former GWR goods shed at [[Kidderminster]], aka North Star Works, the large building which can be seen beyond the platform in the photographand [[Bewdley]]. The SVR acquired this shed in 1985, Both works are closed to the year after Kidderminster openedpublic, when it was put up for sale by the former occupants Pickfords Removals. The North Star Works includes a carriage paint shop as well except during special events such as facilities for jacking up carriages for bogie overhauls. Lighter bodywork repairs also take place. Rail access to the Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works is via the [[Connection to Network RailOpen House Weekend]].
Much work also takes place at ==Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works==[[Bewdley Carriage & Wagon Department File: Dynamo_Test_Rigs_20170715.jpg |thumb|300px|right | BewdleyDynamo test rigs in the 'North Star Works']] which generally carries out The most conspicuous repair works is the former GWR goods shed, informally known as the heavier bodywork repair work'North Star Works',<ref>SVR News 88 Summer 1988, pp. Bewdley also has a carriage paint shop38-41. , ''North Star Carriage restoration from derelict condition by groups including Works'', Colin Jenkins</ref> the [[Great Western (SVR) Assoc.|GW(SVR)A]] and [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd|large building which can be seen beyond the platform in the Charitable Trust]] also takes place herephotograph.
Both Repair It is situated next to the main Network Rail running lines, so access to the back face and roof of the building for inspection or maintenance normally takes place during an engineering possession of the main line. As part of a wider collaboration, in late February 2024 Network Rail's survey drone team completed a thorough daytime visual inspection of the back face, with no disruption to main line services<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blmar24 'Partnership working solves major access problem at Pickford’s building', Branch Lines, March 2024]</ref>. ===Kidderminster goods shed history===During the GWR era, steam locomotives were prohibited from entering the goods shed. The GWR kept two shunting horses in a stable on the opposite side of the main line behind the carriage siding, one of which would be led across the tracks each day. Two men were required to manage shunting in the shed, one to tend the horse and the other the wagons.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Turley (2005)]] p. 83.</ref> After BR use ended, the shed was acquired by the National Freight Corporation (formerly British Road Services or “BRS”). In 1978 the SVR were negotiating to acquire the shed for use as the terminus for the proposed extension from Bewdley to Kidderminster. However the plan fell through when NFC decided to retain the building for use by one of their member companies, Pickfords Removals,<ref>SVR News 50</ref> and the SVR’s Kidderminster Town station was instead [[The development of Kidderminster Town Station| constructed on the adjacent former goods yard]]. In summer 1985, the year after Kidderminster Town opened, the goods shed was put on the market by Pickfords and the opportunity was taken to acquire it by the SVR.<ref>SVR News 76</ref> After some delay due to difficulties with access for services, completion of the purchase of the freehold finally took place in summer 1986<ref>SVR News 83</ref>. ===Carriage works facilities===In Autumn 1986 the "Stock and Shares" [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|SVRA raffle]] raised funds for fitting out the goods shed as a carriage works, which were used to purchase a set of carriage lifting jacks for jacking up carriages for bogie overhauls.<ref>SVR News 81, 82</ref> Fitting out continued through 1987 as Pickfords gradually vacated the building and offices, with the ground floor plan including a compressor room, a machine shop, a sheet metal shop (to be used as a fabrication shop) and a joinery shop. A mezzanine floor is used for storage, serviced by a goods lift. Tracks were laid into the building with [[GWR 9627 Restaurant Third]] becoming the first carriage to enter and be lifted in February 1988.<ref>SVR News 88, "North Star Carriage Works ", Colin Jenkins</ref> In spring 1997 the north end of the North Star Works was fitted out as a paint shop and two new permanent staff (including [[Hugh McQuade]]) taken on to man it.<ref>SVR News 122</ref> The works is mainly used for lighter bodywork repairs. Rail access is via the [[Connection to Network Rail]]. The works has two dynamo test rigs, dating from around 1898, which are closed still in use for servicing the dynamos fitted to carriages to charge their batteries. The blue bulbs used in the publictest rigs, except which still work, were LMS 1941 wartime issue for coach blackout precautions.<ref>Notice on the test rigs</ref> They were acquired from the LMS Wolverton Works and installed in the North Star Works during 2005-06.<ref>SVR News 152</ref><br clear="all"/> ==Bewdley Carriage and Wagon Department==[[File:Bewdley_Paint_Shop_20150801.jpg |thumb|300px|right | Bewdley paint shop]]Much work also takes place at [[Bewdley Carriage & Wagon Department | Bewdley]] which generally carries out heavier bodywork repairs. Bewdley also has a carriage paint shop. Carriage restoration from derelict condition by groups including the [[Open House WeekendGreat Western (SVR) Association]] and , [[The 4150 LNER (SVR) Coach Fund]] and the [[Charitable Trust]] also takes place here. ==Other facilities==Day to day maintenance, light repairs and repaints are carried out in the [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed#Peep Behind Carriage_repair_facility|carriage repair facility in Kidderminster Carriage Shed]]. Carriage restoration is also carried out in the cattle dock at [[Bridgnorth]] by the Scenes | Peep Behind Bridgnorth Carriage and Wagon Department. Carriages may be painted in the Scenespaint shop at [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]].
The Carriage Maintenance Store at Kidderminster, which can be seen next to the [[Diesel Depot]], was formerly the Rope Works store at the GWR’s Swindon works.<ref>SVR News 151</ref>
Day to day running repairs are carried out in the [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed]]. Carriage restoration is also carried out at [[Bridgnorth]].
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File: Kidderminster_Carriage_Works_20150725.jpg | Another view of the North Star Works
File: Carriage_Maintenance_Store_20151122.jpg | Carriage Maintenance Store, ex GWR Swindon Works
File: Carriage works 1.jpg | Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works, northern end
File: Carriage works 2.jpg | Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works, northern end detail
File: Carriage works 3.jpg | Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works, northern end detail
File: Bewdley_Paint_Shop_20150801.jpg | Bewdley Carriage Paint ShopFile: Carriage_Maintenance_Store_20151122.jpg | Carriage Maintenance Store, ex GWR Swindon Works
</gallery>
== See also ==
*[[Carriages | List of Carriages]]*[[Rolling stock currently under restoration]]*[[Businesses located at SVR stations]]
==References==
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[[Category:SVR fundraising lotteries]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
