Changes

|image = GWR E159 BCK 6562 at Highley6562_20170923.jpg

|status = Overhaul in progressIn service

|othernos = W6562W, 99238

|years2 = 2017|events2 = Returned from overhaul which began in 2015

}}GWR 6562 is a Brake Composite (BCK) 6562 was built at Swindon in October 1938 as lot number 1589 to diagram E159. The term ‘composite’ refers to a carriage having more than one class of seating, in this case two first class and four third class compartments, together with two lavatories and a small guard’s compartment.

==Service==6562 was built at Swindon in October 1938 as lot number 1589 to diagram E159. It later carried the number 99238, signifying hauled non-passenger carrying use.<ref>Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey</ref> Its working life ended at Ashton Gate, near Bristol.<ref name=SB9>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref>

==Preservation==6562 was bought by [[Great Western (SVR) Assoc. | The Great Western (SVR) Association]] in 1967. It is the longest serving coach on the SVR, being the only survivor one still present of the first 4 to arrive on the SVR four which arrived at Bridgnorth on 25 March 1967 behind locomotive [[GWR 2251 Class 3205 | GWR 3205]] . It was acquired by [[Great Western (SVR) Assoc. | The Great Western (the SVR) Association]] from owner Mr D R Gwynne-Williams in autumn 1975.<ref>SVR News 37</ref> The other 3 three original coaches, numbers 3755, 3756 and 7285, were among eight owned by Mr Gwynne-Williams which [[Carriages formerly resident on the SVR | left the SVR]] in 1976 and are now at Didcot). Apart  6562 was the first coach to be restored to its original GWR livery at Bewdley.<ref name=SB9/> One of its first duties was on 2 October 1968, when the Inspector appointed by the Minister of Transport to hold the Public Inquiry into the granting of the Light Railway Order inspected the line from repaintsBridgnorth to Bewdley. 6562 formed part of the train hauled by 3205. The following year 3205 and coaches including 6562 visited Tyseley for an exhibition, travelling by rail via Worcester, Honeybourne, Stratford-upon-Avon and Henley-in-Arden.<ref>SVR News 14</ref>  6562 received a repaint in 1976<ref>SVR News 39</ref>, after which it has also seen almost continuous service since' including being part of was used in the [[The Severn Valley Railway on the main line#SVR Carriages used on the main line | GWR rake of carriages used on the main line]] in the 1970s. In 1978 it required repairs after suffering damage to both headstocks in a collision.<ref>SVR News 49</ref> A heavy overhaul was carried out in 1984-85 including complete repanelling, repaint and lining out. The seats were also re-upholstered. In 1989 the bogies were changed after the wheels had become below minimum size.<ref>SVR News 73,75,77, 94</ref> Further attention to the paint and upholstery then took place in 1998-99.<ref>SVR News 133</ref> Apart from these repaints and overhauls, although by 6562 has seen almost continuous service since.<ref>GW(SVR)A</ref> By 2015 it was at Bewdley awaiting an overhaul which began following the completion of [[GWR 650 Brake Third Open (Excursion) | 650]]. It returned to service in July 2017.

*[http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/6562.html 6562 on www.gw-svr-a.org.uk]<br>*[http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrustrhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=223 6562 on www.vintagecarriagestrust.orgRailway Heritage Register On-Line]