Carriage Repair Works

Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works (Wikimedia Commons)

The Carriage Repair Works is split across two sites. The most conspicuous is the former GWRGreat Western Railway goods shed at Kidderminster, aka North Star Works, the large building which can be seen beyond the platform in the photograph. The SVRSevern Valley Railway acquired this shed in 1986,^[1] two years after Kidderminster opened, when it was put up for sale by the former occupants Pickfords Removals. 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.^[2]

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.

Much work also takes place at 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 GW(SVR)A and the Charitable Trust also takes place here.

Both Repair Works are closed to the public, except during the Open House Weekend.

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.^[3]

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