GWR 40554 Chaired Sleeper Wagon
40554 was built by the GWR at Swindon in 1895 (SVR Stock Book states 1899) to Diagram T1, Lot 254. It is a special type of well wagon, originally used for moving chaired sleepers from the Hayes Creosote Depot in Middlesex. During BR service it was adapted for moving concrete products from Taunton, but post-preservation it has been restored to its original configuration. It has a capacity of 18 tons and is lettered “To Carry 160 chaired sleepers”.
The wagon was acquired from Swindon Works in July 1973 where it was awaiting scrapping. It is owned by The GWR 813 Preservation Fund and is shown in the photograph at Bewdley. The Railway Heritage Register Wagon Survey suggests this is the only surviving example of this particular type of well wagon.
See Also
References
SVR Stock Book 9th Edition
GWR813.org