GWR 17410 'Toad' 20T Goods Brake Van
20 ton 'ToadGWR telegraphic code signifying a goods brake van, which became the standard design's nickname' Brake Van 17410 was built at Swindon in 1940, one of a batch of 100 financed by the War Department but taken straight into GWRGreat Western Railway stock. The diagram number was AA.21, lot number 1370. It was vacuum fitted with screw couplings. When last in SVRSevern Valley Railway service it was lettered in late GWRGreat Western Railway style grey livery and allocated to "Bristol RU".
It arrived on the SVRSevern Valley Railway in November 1970 and was restored the following year, after which it saw regular use by the PWPermanent Way Department. Following withdrawal as surplus to PWPermanent Way requirements and in very poor condition it languished in Bewdley yard, but in December 2015 its restoration, by the LNERLondon & North Eastern Railway Carriage Group, started. Construction of a new pair of side doors, using the original ironwork is underway (Jan 2016). 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 stencilled opposite the guard's seat in pink lettering, with the word "CARDIFF" (presumably its first allocation) below. Its later (presumed BRBritish Rail or British Railways) interior finish was off white (ivory) and bauxite with a white ceiling.
The sanding gear is currently missing, and the GWRGreat Western Railway drawing has been located. Its hard to read, and LNERLondon & North Eastern Railway Group members are preparing working drawings to enable a new set to be constructed.
It is intended to restore it to as near original condition as reasonably possible, and in GWRGreat Western Railway livery, but BRBritish Rail or British Railways bauxite has not been ruled out as a possibility for the future.
As of November 2015[update], 17410 is owned by "17410 Fund", but the Fund intends soon to transfer ownership to the SVR Charitable Trust [1].
Sources
Railway Heritage Register Wagon Survey
SVRSevern Valley Railway Stock Book Eighth Edition
- ↑ Public Notice GWR ‘Toad’ 17410, dated 01/09/2015, accessed 10/11/2015
