BR 20 ton 'Toadfit' brake van 955243 was built in 1962 at Ashford, Kent. It was moved to the SVR from the embryonic Southall Steam Centre in 1990 by owner J.J. Smith. The SVR Stock Book records that it was subsequently used on gala and charter freight trains.[1]
During 2001 955243 and fellow Toadfit 953153 were both damaged by fire while stored in the Engineers’ siding at the Stourport Triangle. Damage to 955243 was the more serious, with not one piece of timber left unburned.[2]
By 2015 only the frame and brake wheel remained as can be seen in this photograph taken at the Stourport Triangle.