GWR 65620 'Vanfit' Covered Goods Van
| GWR 65620 'Vanfit' Covered Goods Van | |
|---|---|
 GWR 65620 'VANFIT' Covered Goods Van | |
| Built By | GWR Swindon |
| Status | Operational |
| Number | 65620 |
| History | |
| Built | 1945-47 |
| Diagram | V36 |
| Lot | 1467 |
| Type | 4-wheel ventilated van |
| Capacity | 12 tons |
| Telegraphic code | VANFIT |
| Brakes | vac fitted |
| 1976 | Arrived on SVR |
65620 was one of 700 such vans built to Diagram V36 Lot 1467 between July 1945 and May 1947, at the end of the GWR's existence as a separate company. The wagons were replacements for condemned vehicles and were allocated miscellaneous unused numbers in the 65XXX series.[1][2] They were fitted with Instanter couplings and also received a plywood body as a wartime / post-War economy measure, the inside having horizontal planks as ‘bump guards’ up to a height of approximately 3ft.
Contents
Contents
Preservation
65620 was rescued from Barry Scrapyard in 1975, arriving on the SVR in January 1976.[3] The '7714 Group', who had use of it as a store, re-canvassed the roof in 1979[4] and it received a repaint in 1982[5]. An overhaul including replacement of the doors and a repaint was carried out in 1993.[4]
65620 continued in use as a store,[3], but by early 2004 was in need of ‘major surgery’.[6] A more comprehensive overhaul was carried out in 2005-6. The roof was re-canvassed using a second-hand canvas as a cost saving measure. The panels from two ends and one side were replaced, as were both door lintels.[7] In 2010 65620 was used in a photo charter Demonstration Goods Train with guest locomotive 61994 The Great Marquess.[8]
By 2015 the exterior of the van was again in poor condition and it was brought into Bewdley Goods Shed, initially for a repaint. Investigation revealed that many of the panels not replaced in 2005-6 were suffering from rot, as were some of the internal planks. On this occasion six of the eight side panels and three of the six end panels were replaced before the repaint was carried out.[9]
65620 is owned by The GWR 813 Preservation Fund.