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[[File:{{Infobox wagon|image = GWR 30903 Ballast Wagon.jpg|caption = GWR 30903 Ballast Wagon|construc = GWR Swindon|status = Operational|wagno = 30903|othernos = DW 30903|designed = |diagram = P18|lot = 1384|wagtype = 4-wheel steel open ballast wagon|capacity = 10 tons|telcode = BR: Starfish|brakes = Morton (as fitted)|built = circa 1941|years1 = 1973|events1 = Arrived on SVR|years2 = 1986|events2 = Overhauled|thumbyears3 = 2007|300pxevents3 = Overhauled|rightyears4 = |events4 = |years5 = |events5 = |years6 = |events6 = }}GWR 30903 Ballast Wagon]]is a 10-ton Ballast Wagon 30903 was steel ballast wagon, one of a batch of 201 built at Swindon in between 1939 and 1941 as Lot 1384 to Diagram P18 (the SVR Stock Book gives the actual construction date as 1941). It was one The 'new generation' ballast wagons of this type began in 1935 with Diagram P15, which had an increased length over earlier designs of 16ft 6in over the headstocks while retaining a number 9ft wheelbase. The internal height of such wagons purchased from Swindon in November 1973 for P-Way Department use1ft 10in gave a nominal 8 cubic yard capacity. It Diagram P18 retained these dimensions but was rebuilt in 1986 modified to include Morton brakes and is painted in steps at the GWR Engineers’ Department black liveryends. It is owned by <ref>[[The GWR 813 Preservation FundBibliography#Other References|Atkins, Beard & Tourret (2013)]]pp.319-320</ref>

The GWR did not allocate telegraphic codes to Departmental wagons of this type, although it was later classified as a STARFISH by BR.  ==Service==30903 saw Departmental service with the GWR and BR(W), ending its working life at Swindon<ref name=SB9>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref>. ==Preservation==30903 was one of a number of such wagons purchased from Swindon in 1973 for P-Way Department use, arriving at Bewdley on 24 November 1973.<ref name=SB9/><ref>SVR News 30</ref> It saw regular service with that Department before receiving an overhaul in September 1986. This included the complete renewal of the platework and repairs to the drawgear. Following this overhaul, it was repainted in the GWR Engineers’ Department black livery.<ref>SVR News 82</ref>  After a further 23 years of service with the P-Way Department, 30903 began a further overhaul in 2007. The floor and ends required replacement and by an unfortunate coincidence, these were removed on the morning of the [[2007 Storm Damage|freak storm which caused significant damage to the SVR]], rendering the wagon unservicable just at a time it would be most needed. During this overhaul the thickness of the new welded floor was increased to 8mm. The repairs were completed in September 2007 with 30903 being repainted in GWR post-war engineers' livery.<ref>SVR News 163</ref> 30903 is owned by [[The GWR 813 Preservation Fund]]. ==See Alsoalso==

SVR Stock Book 9th Edition<br>GWR813.org<brreferences/>

*[http://www.gwr813.org/pagew72.html 30903 on www.gwr813.org]<br>*[http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrustrhrp.org.uk/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=9642 30903 on www.vintagecarriagestrust.orgRailway Heritage Register On-Line]<br>