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==Preservation==
68501 was purchased from BR Radstock in 1975 by [[The GWR 813 Preservation Fund]], arriving on in 25 July.<ref name=SB9>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref> <ref group=note>[http://www.ws.rhrp.org.uk/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=7490 Vintage Wagon Survey] says 5 July, SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition says 25 July 1975. [http://www.gwr813.org/pagew62.html GWR 813 Fund] additionally state the van was acquired in 1971.</ref> Some body work was carried out the following year<ref>SVR News 39</ref>, while major restoration work was undertaken at Bewdley between January and May 1980. The roof required re-canvassing, while the verandah had several large holes and was buckled by rot. New steel plate was fitted on the verandah, a new wooden top made for the ballast box and a new oak frame for the sand boxes. A dozen boards were replaced and the roof recanvassed, followed by repainting.<ref>SVR News 63</ref> Following this major structural rebuilding, it featured regularly in [[Demonstration Goods Train |demonstration freight trains]] on gala weekends.<ref name=SB9/>
In early 1985, 68501 was one of six wagons selected for display at the GWR 150 exhibition at Swindon, for which further repairs were required including being fitted with new footboards and having several floor panels replaced.<ref>SVR News 176</ref> One week after repairs to the wagons were complete, the event was cancelled after the closure of the Swindon works was announced. However 68501 then appeared on the main line when it was used as the brake van in the [[The Severn Valley Railway on the main line#SVR Wagons used on the main line in preservation| GW 150 demonstration freight train]] which ran to Newport behind [[2857|GWR freight loco 2857]].<ref>SVR News 78</ref>
During the Autumn Steam Gala in 1990, 68501 suffered a sidelong coming-together with [[5764|pannier tank 5764]]. The brake van required repairs to handrails, step boards roof planks and a new roof canvas; 5764 also required bodywork repairs.<ref>SVR News 98</ref>
During the following year’s Autumn Steam Gala, 68501 suffered more damage when one of the sand pipes was caught on a rail joint at Kidderminster. This was drawn to the Guard's attention by a passenger pointing out that 'The exhaust pipe has fallen off!'.<ref>SVR News 102</ref> Further repairs were required in 1996 when 68501 sustained a broken window and cabin-end damage during a misguided attempt to move an out-of-gauge load.<ref>SVR News 119</ref>
The first major overhaul since 1980 was undertaken at Bewdley, beginning in early 2006. The underframe was cleaned and painted, and new step boards constructed. A replacement sand pipe for the one broken off in 1991 was also fitted while the roof canvas fitted in that year was also replaced. A number of planks were replaced in the body and cabin door, while the two side doors were also removed and replacements made. The floor planks were replaced using spare keruing planks left over from earlier jobs. The stove was repaired, with a new cast fire brick lining and new stovepipe fitted. The guard's seat was re-upholstered and the wagon repainted in the same livery as before. The overhaul was completed in March 2007.<ref>SVR News 155, 163</ref>
68501 was moved in to [[Bewdley Goods Shed]] in October 2017 for a repaint and minor repairs. These were completed in time for [[The GWR 813 Preservation Fund]]’s brake van specials on 25 November 2017.<ref>[http://www.svrwagons.uk/news.html SVRWagons.uk] (retrieved 3 December 2017)</ref>
==Notes==
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==See also==
