Category:Rolling stock previously part of emergency control trains

This page gives details of carriages on the SVR which, after being withdrawn from commercial service by BR, were used as part of emergency control trains in the 1960s and 1970s.

Emergency Control Trains

Plans were first drawn up in 1953 for emergency measures in the event of an escalation in the ‘cold war’. For the railways, these plans included re-locating district control offices and building replacement static emergency control centres. This was put on hold after four years, but in 1961 a revised government-funded scheme was introduced; part of which catered for the Ministry of Transport’s preference that mobile controls should be used.

Each of the then six Regions were provided with two trains each. A typical configuration consisted of a rake of four modified carriages comprising a generator car with two diesel generators providing power for the internal equipment, a stores and mess car; a control and apparatus car, and an office car. These were adapted from carriages which had been withdrawn from commercial use by BR. The trains were stabled at various strategic locations, often under cover, from where they would be moved to pre-prepared sites in the event of an outbreak of war.

By the late 1970s the threat of war had receded and there was deemed to be no further need for retention of the trains. The Ministry of Transport therefore issued a withdrawal order, permitting BR to dispose of the rolling stock. Having been stored under cover, these were generally in relatively good condition. A number of carriages that might otherwise have been scrapped therefore survived and found their way into preservation.[1]

Former use of carriages now on the SVR

GWR carriages 9653 and 9654 were adapted for use in the first and second West Region control trains respectively.[2]. Both were stored in a shed at Craven Arms.[3]

LNER carriages 24105 and 43600 formed part of the North East Region control train stabled at York, initially in the Queen Street sidings and from 1967 in the Clifton carriage shed. In the event of war this would have been moved to a pre-prepared site at Hebden Bridge.[1]

LNER 52255 formed part of two East Region control trains stabled at Retford. These trains each included a 12 ton van, formerly a banana van, used for cable storage.[1]

See also

List of carriages

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 “Gresley’s ‘Hush-Hush’ Coaches”, Murray Brown, article in Railway World June 1981 (Retrieved 1 February 2017)
  2. Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey
  3. SVR Stock Book 9th edition

Links

Pages in category ‘Rolling stock previously part of emergency control trains’

The following 5 pages are in this category, out of 5 total.

SVR Wiki

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Welcome to the Severn Valley Railway Wiki

From this week's featured article
Trimpley Reservoir can be seen to the west of the line between Bewdley and Arley. The reservoir, which is managed by Severn Trent Water, was opened in 1968 and covers 29 acres. It is open to the public and is used by the Trimpley Sailing Club, while other activities include angling, wildlife watching and walking. (Full article...)
Schematic Map of the SVRSevern Valley Railway
BridgnorthEardingtonHampton LoadeCountry Park HaltHighleyThe Engine HouseArleyVictoria BridgeNorthwood HaltWyre Forest LineBewdleyStourport BranchBewdley TunnelConnection to Network RailKidderminsterMaps#Schematic maps of the pre-closure SVRMapandlinks.png
Click on the map for a
larger interactive version

For 101 years between 1862 and 1963, the Severn Valley Railway formed part of the national railway network, running for 40 miles between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. Established as a separate company, it was mainly operated by the Great Western Railway (GWRGreat Western Railway) and later by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways).

The present day Severn Valley Railway (SVRSevern Valley Railway) was established in 1965 to preserve part of the line as a heritage railway. Today it has six stations and two halts and runs for 16 miles along the Severn Valley between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Operations involve a mixture of steam and heritage diesel-hauled services.

This unofficial website is a project aimed to collect information and record events relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both past and present.

For timetables, fare information, and news about special events, please visit the SVR Official Website. Other news and information of interest to members, shareholders and enthusiasts can be found on SVRLive.

In April 2023 the SVRSevern Valley Railway announced the launch of a Survival Fund to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Survival Fund page.

Categories of article

History of the Severn Valley Railway

Current events on the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Information about the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Miscellaneous


Query Corner

Unsurprisingly, there are a large number of questions about the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both in pre-preservation days and for a number of historical items since then. Take a visit down to Query Corner to see if you have a recollection relating to some long forgotten event, or know of a reliable source (maybe an early edition of the SVR News?) that might have the information we need!

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