Difference between revisions of "Carriage Repair Works"

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[[File:Platform 2 at Kidderminster Town - geograph.org.uk - 247100.jpg |thumb|300px|right | Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works (Wikimedia Commons)]]
 
[[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 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 photograph.  The SVR acquired this shed in 1986,<ref>SVR News 81</ref> two years after [[The development of Kidderminster Town Station|Kidderminster opened]], when it was put up for sale by the former occupants Pickfords Removals. 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.<ref>SVR News 81, 82</ref>
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The '''Carriage Repair Works''' is split across two main sites at [[Kidderminster]] and [[Bewdley]]. Both Repair Works are closed to the public, except during special events such as the [[Open House Weekend]].
  
The North Star Works includes a carriage paint shop as well 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 Rail]].
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==Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works==
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[[File: Dynamo_Test_Rigs_20170715.jpg |thumb|300px|right | Dynamo test rigs in the 'North Star Works']]
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The most conspicuous repair works is the former GWR goods shed, also known as the 'North Star Works', the large building which can be seen beyond the platform in the photograph.
  
Much work also takes place at [[Bewdley Carriage & Wagon Department | Bewdley]] which generally carries out the heavier bodywork repair work. Bewdley also has a carriage paint shop. Carriage restoration from derelict condition by groups including the [[Great Western (SVR) Assoc.|GW(SVR)A]] and [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd|the Charitable Trust]] also takes place here.  
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===Kidderminster goods shed history===
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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>
  
Both Repair Works are closed to the public, except during the [[Open House Weekend]].
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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]].
  
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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>.
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===Carriage works facilities===
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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>
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 +
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>
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The north end of the North Star Works includes a paint shop. The works is manly used for lighter bodywork repairs. Rail access is via the [[Connection to Network Rail]].
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The works has two dynamo test rigs, dating from around 1898, which are still in use for servicing the dynamos fitted to carriages to charge their batteries. The blue bulbs used in the test rigs, 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>
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<br clear="all"/>
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==Bewdley Carriage and Wagon Department==
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[[File:Bewdley_Paint_Shop_20150801.jpg |thumb|300px|right | Bewdley paint shop]]
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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 [[Great Western (SVR) Assoc.|GW(SVR)A]] and [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd|the Charitable Trust]] also takes place here.   
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==Other facilities==
 
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>  
 
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]].
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Day to day running repairs are carried out in the [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed]]. Carriage restoration is also carried out at [[Bridgnorth]].
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
File: Kidderminster_Carriage_Works_20150725.jpg | Another view of the North Star Works
 
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 1.jpg | Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works, northern end
 
File: Carriage works 2.jpg | Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works, northern end detail
 
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: Carriage works 3.jpg | Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works, northern end detail
File: Bewdley_Paint_Shop_20150801.jpg | Bewdley Carriage Paint Shop
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File: | Bewdley Carriage Paint Shop
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File: Carriage_Maintenance_Store_20151122.jpg | Carriage Maintenance Store, ex GWR Swindon Works
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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[[Category:SVR fundraising lotteries]]
 
[[Category:SVR fundraising lotteries]]
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[[Category:Featured articles]]

Revision as of 15:41, 17 June 2019

Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works (Wikimedia Commons)

The Carriage Repair Works is split across two main sites at Kidderminster and Bewdley. Both Repair Works are closed to the public, except during special events such as the Open House Weekend.

Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works

Dynamo test rigs in the 'North Star Works'

The most conspicuous repair works is the former GWRGreat Western Railway goods shed, also known as the 'North Star Works', the large building which can be seen beyond the platform in the photograph.

Kidderminster goods shed history

During the GWRGreat Western Railway era, steam locomotives were prohibited from entering the goods shed. The GWRGreat Western Railway 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.[1]

After BRBritish Rail or British Railways use ended, the shed was acquired by the National Freight Corporation (formerly British Road Services or “BRS”). In 1978 the SVRSevern Valley Railway 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,[2] and the SVRSevern Valley Railway’s Kidderminster Town station was instead 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 SVRSevern Valley Railway.[3] After some delay due to difficulties with access for services, completion of the purchase of the freehold finally took place in summer 1986[4].

Carriage works facilities

In Autumn 1986 the "Stock and Shares" 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.[5]

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.[6]

The north end of the North Star Works includes a paint shop. The works is manly 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 still in use for servicing the dynamos fitted to carriages to charge their batteries. The blue bulbs used in the test rigs, which still work, were LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway 1941 wartime issue for coach blackout precautions.[7] They were acquired from the LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway Wolverton Works and installed in the North Star Works during 2005-06.[8]

Bewdley Carriage and Wagon Department

Bewdley paint shop

Much work also takes place at Bewdley which generally carries out heavier bodywork repairs. Bewdley also has a carriage paint shop. Carriage restoration from derelict condition by groups including the GW(SVR)A and the Charitable Trust also takes place here.

Other facilities

The Carriage Maintenance Store at Kidderminster, which can be seen next to the Diesel Depot, was formerly the Rope Works store at the GWRGreat Western Railway’s Swindon works.[9]

Day to day running repairs are carried out in the Kidderminster Carriage Shed. Carriage restoration is also carried out at Bridgnorth.

Gallery

See also

List of Carriages
Rolling stock currently under restoration

References

  1. Turley (2005) p. 83.
  2. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 50
  3. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 76
  4. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 83
  5. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 81, 82
  6. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 88, “North Star Carriage Works”, Colin Jenkins
  7. Notice on the test rigs
  8. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 152
  9. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 151