GWR 3429 Fruit D Van and Bridgnorth MPD: Difference between pages

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{{Infobox wagon
[[File:Bridgnorth_MPD_20150614.jpg| thumb|400px|right| Bridgnorth MPD]]
|image      = GWR_3429_20240217.jpg
[[File:S7649_Loco_Yard_Bridgnorth_1972_David_Cooke.jpg| thumb|400px|right|Bridgnorth MPD in 1972 (David Cooke)]]
|caption    = FRUIT D W3429 (2024)
|construc  = BR Swindon
|status    = Static use
|wagno      = W3429
|othernos  = W3429W
|designed  = Collett
|diagram    = Y14
|lot        = 1723
|wagtype    = 4-w ventilated van
|telcode    = FRUIT D
|brakes    =
|built      = 1950
|years1    = 1973
|events1    = Arrived on SVR
|years2    =
|events2    =
|years3    =
|events3    =
}}'''W3429''' (later W3429W) is a long wheelbase '''FRUIT D''' goods van, one of around 13 survivors of the type of which four are preserved on the SVR, the others being [[GWR 3467 Fruit D Van|W3467]], [[GWR/BR 92080 Fruit D Van|W92080]] and [[GWR/BR 92090 Fruit D Van|W92090]]. The FRUIT D is a GWR design dating from 1939, although only 50 were built by the GWR with most examples being completed by BR who continued their construction as late as 1958.


==Fruit vans==
'''Bridgnorth MPD''' comprises [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]] and the associated coaling, watering and storage facilities. It extended to include several rented commercial premises in Station Lane including that known as the Graham Hill building (containing the staff mess room and [[Severn Valley Railway Engineering Services|ESMP]] offices) and the former David Dexter's car service garage (used for additional storage). {{As of|2023}} work commenced on converting the former ladies' toilet on [[Bridgnorth]] station to a new ESMP office, to reduce the commercial rental costs.  
The GWR's first ventilated vans specifically intended to convey fruit dated from 1889. They were given the telegraphic code FRUIT and due to the perishable nature of the goods they carried, they were intended to be used in fast passenger services rather than slow goods trains. As such, they were allocated numbers in the coach series and classed as classed as "[[:Category:Non Passenger Carrying Coaching Stock (NPCCS) | Non Passenger Carrying Coaching Stock]]".<ref name=ABT>[[Bibliography#Other References|Atkins, Beard & Tourret (2013)]] pp. 441, 448, 453-454.</ref>


The FRUIT D was the largest and last type of ventilated passenger fruit van designed and built by the GWR. It had an 18ft wheelbase with a length of 28ft 6in over the headstocks and a capacity of 10 tons. Access was provided by three sets of double doors on each side. 50 were built by the GWR between 1939 and 1941 to Diagram Y11.<ref name=ABT/> BR continued to build FRUIT Ds to Diagram Y14, with a further 100 including W3429 and W3467 completed between 1950 and 1956.<ref group="note">Most FRUIT Ds were built at Swindon, although one Lot of 20 was built by Cravens.</ref> All 100 were given vacant numbers in the GWR coach numbering series; as built all would have received a W prefix with an additional W suffix from new or subsequently added as part of the [[Carriage and Wagon numbering|numbering changes]] following the introduction of BR's Mark 1 coaching stock. A final 115 including W95080 and W92090 were built between 1957 and 1958 to BR's Diagram 105; these received numbers in the BR coach numbering series from new.<ref name=Longworth2018>[[Bibliography#Other References|Longworth (2018)]] p.156</ref> <ref group="note">After the FRUIT Ds were withdrawn in the 1970s, the same range of numbers was re-used for Mark 1 full Brakes (BG) built in 1983, so M92080 and E92090 also existed.</ref>
In the early days of preservation, the public had free access to the MPD. However after almost two years of discussions, the Health and Safety Executive issued a directive at the start of 1992 banning the public from access to the yard and shed areas.<ref>SVR News 104, pp 3, 16.</ref> Since that time the MPD is not normally open to the public except during special events such as the [[Open House Weekend]]. At other times a limited view is available from Platform 2 or the footbridge. The 2012 Share Offer prospectus for the [[Bridgnorth#Bridgnorth_Development_Project|Bridgnorth Development Project]] included a viewing platform, but this was omitted from later plans.


FRUIT Ds were also used for express parcels when not carrying fruit,<ref name=ABT/> and many FRUIT Ds continued in use after main line service as Engineers' Departmental or Internal User vehicles.
[[Cowans Sheldon 30-ton steam crane RS 1087]] and several well wagons, used to store locomotive boilers and other large parts, are stabled at Bridgnorth MPD.


==Service and preservation==
==Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard Appeal==
W3429 was built by BR at Swindon in 1950 to diagram Y14, lot 1723.<ref>Railway Heritage Register Wagon Survey</ref> It was gas-lit and piped for steam heat, although not heated itself.<ref>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref>  It was withdrawn circa March 1973.<ref name=Longworth2018/>
In May 2022 the [[Charitable Trust]] launched an appeal to help raise £500,000 to restore Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard. The introduction to the appeal noted that "''Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard is used daily for steam locomotive servicing and maintenance - and is the only way to access the Locomotive Works by rail - but it's in desperate need of repair. The current track was laid in the 1970s using second-hand materials and, through extensive care, has lasted 50 years, much longer than expected. However it's now reached the end of its life.''" It was the subject of the [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|2022 raffle]].


The [[Hinton Manor Fund]] had brought [[GWR 7819 Hinton Manor]] to the SVR in January 1973 for restoration. The fund acquired W3429 in the same year, intending to use it for loco spares storage. It arrived on the SVR from Ipswich on 11 September 1973, carrying a BR blue livery.<ref>SVR Stock Book Fifth Edition, September 1974</ref>
After preparatory work in December 2022, Phase 1 of the project began in January 2023 with work on [[Cleobury Road Bridge]] and the turnout leading to Platform 2 and the locomotive yard. The next phase in 2024 involved replacing rails and the turnout on roads 1 and 2 (the roads nearest to the station) using components recovered from Brownhills, plus alterations to the pit on road 2 and levelling the yard<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blfeb24 Branch Lines February 2024]</ref>.


Restoration of 7819 was completed in 1977 although the locomotive entering service using cab fittings borrowed from [[1501]] and a tender borrowed from [[3205]]. Restoration of 7819's own cab fittings and tender was completed over the winter of 1979-80. At that time, W3429 was still owned by the Hinton Manor Fund, although by 1990 it had been moved to [[Highley]] for station staff use, with ownership assumed by the [[Highley#Highley_Station_Fund|Highley Station Fund]].<ref>SVR Stock Book Eighth Edition, February 1990</ref> 
==Gallery==
 
<Gallery>
W3429 was repainted in 1997<ref>Railway Heritage Register Wagon Survey</ref> and again in situ during 2021 as shown below. It can be seen on the flat area of land at Highley adjacent to the [[Highley signal box | Signal Box]] which was formerly the site of a short-lived [[Stone quarry siding opposite Highley Station|stone quarry siding]] in the early 1880s. After its most recent repainting, it has reverted to GWR brown livery, although unlettered, as seen in the main picture above.
File:GWR 42343 20150307.jpg | GWR Machinery Flat 42343 carrying two saddle tanks
 
File:WD 314153 20150307.jpg | WD 'Warwell' Well Wagon 314153
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
File:BR 900760 20150307.jpg | BR 'Weltrol EC' 900760
GWR_3429_20150307.jpg | FRUIT D W3429 in 2015
File:42968 boiler on 901010.JPG | BR 'Weltrol MV' 901010
GWR_3429_20210619.jpg|Repainting in progress in June 2021
File:BR 1087 30 20150307.jpg | Cowans Sheldon 30-ton steam crane RS 1087
</gallery>
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
[[Goods Wagons | List of goods wagons]]
*[[Bewdley MPD]]
 
*[[Bridgnorth]]
==Notes==
*[[:Category:Rolling stock at Bridgnorth | List of Rolling stock at Bridgnorth]]
<references group="note"/>


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
==Links==
*[http://www.ws.rhrp.org.uk/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=176 3429 on Railway Heritage Register On-Line]
[[Category:Featured articles]]

Revision as of 14:52, 15 April 2024

Bridgnorth MPD
Bridgnorth MPD in 1972 (David Cooke)

Bridgnorth MPD comprises Bridgnorth Loco Works and the associated coaling, watering and storage facilities. It extended to include several rented commercial premises in Station Lane including that known as the Graham Hill building (containing the staff mess room and ESMP offices) and the former David Dexter's car service garage (used for additional storage). As of 2023 work commenced on converting the former ladies' toilet on Bridgnorth station to a new ESMP office, to reduce the commercial rental costs.

In the early days of preservation, the public had free access to the MPD. However after almost two years of discussions, the Health and Safety Executive issued a directive at the start of 1992 banning the public from access to the yard and shed areas.[1] Since that time the MPD is not normally open to the public except during special events such as the Open House Weekend. At other times a limited view is available from Platform 2 or the footbridge. The 2012 Share Offer prospectus for the Bridgnorth Development Project included a viewing platform, but this was omitted from later plans.

Cowans Sheldon 30-ton steam crane RS 1087 and several well wagons, used to store locomotive boilers and other large parts, are stabled at Bridgnorth MPD.

Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard Appeal[edit | edit source]

In May 2022 the Charitable Trust launched an appeal to help raise £500,000 to restore Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard. The introduction to the appeal noted that "Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard is used daily for steam locomotive servicing and maintenance - and is the only way to access the Locomotive Works by rail - but it's in desperate need of repair. The current track was laid in the 1970s using second-hand materials and, through extensive care, has lasted 50 years, much longer than expected. However it's now reached the end of its life." It was the subject of the 2022 raffle.

After preparatory work in December 2022, Phase 1 of the project began in January 2023 with work on Cleobury Road Bridge and the turnout leading to Platform 2 and the locomotive yard. The next phase in 2024 involved replacing rails and the turnout on roads 1 and 2 (the roads nearest to the station) using components recovered from Brownhills, plus alterations to the pit on road 2 and levelling the yard[2].

Gallery[edit | edit source]

  • GWR Machinery Flat 42343 carrying two saddle tanks

    GWR Machinery Flat 42343 carrying two saddle tanks

  • WD 'Warwell' Well Wagon 314153

    WD 'Warwell' Well Wagon 314153

  • BR 'Weltrol EC' 900760

    BR 'Weltrol EC' 900760

  • BR 'Weltrol MV' 901010

    BR 'Weltrol MV' 901010

  • Cowans Sheldon 30-ton steam crane RS 1087

    Cowans Sheldon 30-ton steam crane RS 1087

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ SVR News 104, pp 3, 16.
  2. ↑ Branch Lines February 2024

Motive Power Depot

Engineering Services, Motive Power.

Great Western Railway

Telegraphic code signifying an ex War Department Well Trolley

British Rail or British Railways

Telegraphic code signifying a Well Trolley

Severn Valley Railway

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