Changes

[[File:{{Infobox wagon|image = GWR 105873 'Mica B' Refrigerated Meat Van.jpg|thumb|300px|right|caption = GWR 105873 'Mica B' Refrigerated Meat Van]]|construc = GWR Swindon|status = In service|wagno = 105873|othernos = PBA 8|designed = |diagram = X.8|lot = 921|wagtype = 6 ton refrigerated meat van|telcode = MICA B|brakes = |built = 1925|years1 = 1973|events1 = Arrived on the SVR|years2 = 1984|events2 = Restored|years3 = 1985|events3 = Used on the main line|years4 = 2012|events4 = Most recent overhaul|years5 = |events5 = |years6 = |events6 = }}105873 is a 'Mica MICA B', the telegraphic code 'MicaMICA' designating a Refrigerated Meat Van of which 'B' is the ventilated variant. These The ventilated vans were mainly used to transport refrigerated meat chilled beef carcases from ports such as Birkenhead to Smithfield and other markets. 105873 was built at Swindon in 1925 to Diagram X8, Lot 921<ref>[[Bibliography# Other References|Atkins et al (1976)]] Vol 2 p. It has a 6 ton capacity. Its working life ended at the Port of Bristol Authority, numbered PBA 8100. </ref> ==Service==

105873 was built at Swindon in 1925 to Diagram X8, Lot 921.<ref>Railway Heritage Register Wagon Survey</ref> It has a 6 ton capacity. The X8 diagram included 1ft 8&frac12;in GWR ‘C’ type self-contained buffers and Morton brakes.  After service with the GWR and BR(W), its working life ended at the Port of Bristol Authority, Avonmouth Docks, numbered PBA 8.  ==Preservation==Initially preserved at the Dean Forest Railway at Lydney, it 105873 was acquired by [[The GWR 813 Preservation Fund]] in 1973, arriving on the SVR on 1 September in that yearin poor structural condition. <ref name=SB9>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref><ref>SVR News 30</ref> It required extensive renovation which was carried out at Bewdley, beginning in spring 1984. Since then A major body rebuild was undertaken including the construction of new doors, the replacement of door pillars and side planks, and other work on the roof and ends.<ref>SVR News 74</ref> Once restored, 105873 appeared on the main line in 1985 when it was used in the [[The Severn Valley Railway on the main line#SVR Wagons used on the main line in preservation| GW 150 demonstration freight train]] which ran to Newport behind [[2857|GWR freight loco 2857]].<ref>SVR News 78</ref> It has also been used for moving presents for Santa’s Grotto, and for storage of 08 shunter spares. It had <ref name=SB9/>  By spring 1995, 105873 was noted to be in 'shabby' condition and was brought in for further repairs and a repaint. Rot was found in three of the doors and the right hand half of both sides, probably made worse by the wagon’s design which includes a double skinned body combined with an air gap through which water could enter. With the wagon no longer needing to be refrigerated, drainage holes were added in the bottom stringer in an attempt to prevent the problem recurring.<ref>SVR News 114, 117</ref>  In 2006, rot was again found to be present, and the wagon was brought into the goods shed for drying out. The underframe was cleaned and repainted at the same time, but 105873 was then taken outside and sheeted while other wagons received attention.<ref>SVR News 155</ref> The further renovation from 2010, which included re-canvassing the roof as well as a repaint, was completed in 2012.<ref>Web Round Up September 2012</ref> It <ref>SVR News 180</ref>  105873 is regularly seen in the [[Demonstration Goods Train |demonstration goods train]], and can be easily recognised by its distinctive white livery with red lettering.

*[http://www.gwr813.org/pagew22.html 105873 on www.gwr813.org]<br>*[http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=9661 105873 on www.vintagecarriagestrust.org]<br>*[http://www.gwr.org.uk/nowagonbrakes.html A Beginner's Guide to GWR Wagon Brakes (including Morton brakes)]