BR 21254 Brake Composite Corridor
| BR 21254 Brake Composite Corridor | |
|---|---|
 BR Brake Composite Corridor 21254 (May 2015) | |
| Built By | BR Derby |
| Status | In service |
| Number | E21254 |
| Livery | BR Maroon |
| Other numbers | NE21254 |
| History | |
| Built | 1963 |
| Diagram | 171 |
| Lot | 30731 |
| Type | BCK |
| TOPS code | AB31 |
| Seats | 12 first, 18 standard |
| 1981 | Preserved on SVR |
Contents
Service and preservation
21254 was built at Derby in 1963 to Diagram 171 (AB301), Lot 30731. It entered service in BR's North Eastern region in February 1964 as E21254. During the mid-1960s BR began to use the separate 'NE' prefix, with the coach being re-numbered NE21254 in July 1966. However the change was short-lived as the North Eastern Region was amalgamated into the Eastern Region in 1968, and the coach reverted to its original number in January 1968.[3] Prior to withdrawal from service in 1981 it was noted in use on the "Night Scotsman" services into Kings Cross.[4]
It arrived on the SVR on 21 August 1981 from Bounds Green, having been purchased by Erlestoke Manor Fund member Bob Marrows.[1] It initially carried BR's blue and grey livery, before being repainted into BR Maroon livery with all maroon ends in November 1985.[5] By autumn 1988 it was described as a 'reliable performer', having required only two new windows in addition to the repaint.[4]
During 1991 21254 underwent repairs to the corners and the repair and replacement of most of the doors, followed by a repaint. The work was carried out at Bewdley paint shop, the first time a BR Mark 1 coach had been overhauled there as previously all work on the BR coaches had been carried out at Bridgnorth.[6]
In spring 2005 it underwent repairs to the steam heat pipes and also received new buckeye couplings.[7] Later in the year it was re-upholstered; unusually this was done while the coach remained in service with one compartment at a time being taken out of service while the seats were sent away to an external contractor.[8] It then underwent a full overhaul, the first since 1991. Work included the replacement of two doors which were deemed beyond repair, and repairs to holes in the roof corners. The internal veneer was stripped and revarnished. While in the paint shop the coach was lifted onto a set of ex-EMU bogies while its own bogies were stripped and refurbished. Other work was done on the steam heating, the buckeye couplings, and braking systems. With painting completed, 321254 re-entered service in Autumn 2006.[9]
21254 was withdrawn in 2012 for the wheels in the bogie under the guard's compartment to be replaced. These had incurred wheel flats several years earlier. A full mechanical overhaul of the brakegear was also required, resulting in the coach spending most of the summer out of service.[10]
21254 in use in Set M (March 2015)
In January 2017 the whole of Set M was split for buckeye and drawgear exams, after which 21254 was withdrawn for repairs.[11] In May 2017 it was undergoing restoration with all 10 doors, including locks, serviced, plus a full repaint.[12]
See also
References
Links
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