GWR 17410 'Toad' 20T Goods Brake Van

GWR 17410 'Toad' 20T Goods Brake Van
	; GWR Toad Brake Van 17410
Built By	GWR Swindon
Status	Under restoration
Number	17410
History
Built	1940
Type	Brake van
Telegraphic code	Toad
Brakes	Vacuum fitted
1970	Entered preservation on SVR
2016	Restoration begun
Goods Wagons

20 ton '' Brake Van 17410 was built at Swindon in 1940, one of a batch of 100 financed by the War Department but taken straight into stock. The diagram number was AA.21, lot number 1370. It was vacuum fitted with screw couplings. An original stencil on an internal wall suggests that its first allocation was to Cardiff, but when last in service it was lettered in late style grey livery and allocated to "Bristol RU".

At some stage in its life the sanding gear was removed, and its place was taken by additional ballast presumably to increase its adhesion weight. Several other preserved Toads have undergone the same modification.

History

It arrived on the SVR in November 1970, purchased by a group of working members known as the 17410 Fund, and was restored the following year, after which it saw regular use by the PW Department. Following withdrawal as surplus to PW requirements and in very poor condition it languished in Bewdley yard, but in December 2015 its restoration, by the LNER Carriage Group, started. In early 2016 the 17410 Fund transferred ownership to the SVR Charitable Trust for restoration and continued preservation on the SVR.^[1] The van is known to many on the SVR as "Don Wilcox's toad". Once restored its hoped to use it as a fitted brake van on demonstration freight trains, filming and photo charters, and for brake van rides, for which it will be most suitable.

Restoration

Much Progress with its restoration has been made, the rate of which will depend largely on the raising of funds for materials. A new pair of veranda side doors have been made, and replacement opening window frames are under construction. The layers of paint were removed from the interior, when it was found that its first, "as built" internal finish was scumble grained in imitation beech and cedar with a light oak ceiling. The number 17410 was stenciled opposite the guard's seat in pink lettering, with the word "CARDIFF" (presumably its first allocation) below. Its later (presumed BR) interior finish was off white (ivory) and bauxite with a white ceiling. Regular progress reports and detailed pictures are posted on LNER(SVR)Coach Fund Toad Progress Page

Much of the steelwork, the entire wooden floor and most of the side/end/roof planking needs replacing. The tyres need to be turned to remove flats. Vacuum cylinder, brakegear pins and bushes must be refurbished. A new stove and roof canvass will be essential.

The GWR drawing of the missing sanding gear has been located. It may prove possible to join with other Toad owners in a scheme to construct a batch of replacements.

It is intended to restore it to as near original condition as reasonably possible, and in GWR livery, but BR bauxite has not been ruled out as a possibility for the future.

By July 2016, the rotten steel veranda sides and underfloor platework which supported the sandboxes, vacuum brake cylinder and handbrake pedestal had been consigned to the scrapheap, plywood templates made, and plans made for their replacement. By September of that year a considerable amount of (very necessary) weld repair had been carried out by a skilled volunteer on the exposed section of underframe, ballast bins and bases of the cabin and side door posts.^[2]^[3] A heavy job completed in early October was the emptying, cleaning, strengthening, painting and re-filling of all eight underfloor ballast bins.

New veranda side and end plates,underfloor support plates, kerb rails and corner posts were made and fitted by Mawley Engineering Ltd between 18-20th October 2016 to replace the thoroughly rotten originals. However the very prominent waist level angle irons, the two vertical "T" sections at the end, and the two side door slam posts were in good condition and have been refurbished and re-used. The new structure was seal welded to prolong its life expectancy, but volunteers have commenced the time consuming job of drilling the new steelwork for snap head rivets which will maintain the authentic look.

To finance the restoration The SVR Charitable Trust is seeking donations and component sponsorship, both of which can be Gift Aided. A form can be accessed by clicking on the link SVR Charitable Trust TOAD Donation Form.Thank you.