GWR 650 Brake Third Open (Excursion)
GWR Brake Third Open (BTO) No 650 was designed by CB Collett and built in April 1940 as lot number 1644 to diagram D130. The GWR generally favoured corridor carriages with compartments, using open carriages only for dining cars. However 650 is a rare survivor from around 6 short open sets built between 1936 and 1940.
650 was purchased as a grounded body in 1989 from Kerne Bridge where it was in use as a dormitory for the Gloucester Boys Club. It was initially moved to the British Sugar Corporation's sidings beside the SVR at Foley Park, and later moved to the SVR for eventual restoration.[1]
Restoration of 650 was completed in October 2015, after painting in Bewdley paint shop into GWR 1934-42 livery featuring the ‘shirt-button’ roundel before being moved to Kidderminster for final mechanical work to the dynamo and vacuum braking system.[2]
650 returned to service as part of a special train on 11th October, 2015