GWR 6913 Brake Composite
| GWR 6913 Brake Composite | |
|---|---|
 GWR 6913 Brake Composite | |
| Built By | GWR Swindon |
| Status | In service |
| Number | 6913 |
| Other numbers | W6913W, 079134, 99240 |
| History | |
| Built | 1934 |
| Designed By | Collett |
| Diagram | E148 |
| Lot | 1508 |
| Type | BCK |
| Length | 57ft 0in |
| Weight | 30t 9cwt |
| Seats | 12 first, 32 third |
| 1974 | Preserved on SVR |
| 1979 | Entered service |
| 1980 | Took part in Rocket 150 at Rainhill |
| 1985 | Used as the SVR's main line support coach |
GWR 6913 is a Gangwayed Brake Composite (BCK) designed by GWR CME Charles (C.B.) Collett. 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 seating 12 and 32 respectively. The coach also contains a lavatory, only allowing space for a cramped guard's compartment with no separate luggage area. Collett's design no longer included the 'bow-ends' which he discontinued in 1933, but now included a riveted rather than canvas covered roof[1].
Contents
Service
6913 was built at Swindon in July 1934 as lot number 1508 to diagram E148. After nationalisation 6913 continued in service with BR(W), initially as W6913 and later as W6913W after the further renumbering caused by the introduction of Mk 1 stock in the early 1950s.
In December 1962 6913 and sister coach 6912 were transferred into Western Region Departmental Coaching stock for Engineer's use as sleeping cars at Radyr in Cardiff, South Wales, for which they received the Departmental numbers 079134 and 079133 respectively[2].
Preservation
6913 and 6912 arrived on the SVR on 5 December 1974 from Radyr, having been acquired by the The Great Western (SVR) Association[3].
In 1976 the SVR prepared a rake of carriages for use on the main line. Both 6913's axle bogies were transferred to other carriages, with 6913 temporarily receiving defective axles including one from Siphon G 2926.[4] Later that year 6913 received attention as a stop-gap project between work on the main line set, including attention to the roof and gutters, replacement of rotten body panels and removal of gangway connections for recanvassing.[5]
Restoration continued at Bewdley as a long term project. By late 1977 6913 was externally nearly complete and awaiting painting.[6] After an appeal for volunteers, internal fitting out began in late 1978[7] Final painting was carried out in summer 1979 after which 6913 entered service.[8]
In May 1980 6913 was one of three SVR coaches to attend the "Rocket 150" celebrations at Rainhill.[9] It was subsequently selected for use as a support brake coach for main-line running in the Great Western 150 celebrations, receiving a mechanical overhaul including newly refurbished bogies plus a repaint in early 1985. For main line use it was given the TOPS number 99240. It was used in that role by 7819 Hinton Manor during a double-headed with 6000 King George VI from Bristol to Plymouth on Easter Sunday 7 April 1985, and the return leg with 7819 and deputy 4930 Hagley Hall standing in for the King on the Bank Holiday Monday.[10][11]
In early 1992 6913 underwent an overhaul at Bewdley, including attention to the bottom stringers (the wooden timber rail on which the rest of the body sits) and to the cantrails (the timber or steel members at the top of the framing which support the roof hoops). A number of panels were also replaced and the 6913 was repainted internally and externally in 1934 livery. The first class seats were also reupholstered before a return to traffic.[12]
On 17-19 March 1997, four sequences for the film The Land Girls were filmed at Crowcombe on the West Somerset Railway. The train consisted of two of the SVR's GWR Collett coaches, 6913 and Full Third 1146, which were transported by road from Kidderminster to Minehead and back especially for the filming. Tyseley's pannier 7160 and the WRS's small prairie 4561 provided the motive power.[13] The Land Girls was released in September 1998.[14]
6913 received a 'brief repaint' at Bewdley in April 2002.[15] In late summer 2009 it underwent a number of repairs at Kidderminster, including to the drawgear, the steam heating system, the vacuum pipework to the Guard's compartment and the brake cylinders. 6913 borrowed a spare set of GWR bogies to take part in the Autumn Steam Gala while its own bogies were being reconditioned.[16]
As of 2020[update] 6913 is finished in GWR 1928-34 chocolate and cream livery featuring the ‘coat of arms’ logo. It is normally used in the Severn Valley Limited dining set (Set S), although in 2020 it was part of the GWR set used during the 2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. It remains owned by The Great Western (SVR) Association.
Sister coach 6912
6912 was acquired at the same time as 6913, also arriving in December 1974. In summer 1979 it was based at Highley,[17] but by 1986 had been condemned and broken up. Some body parts were used in the restoration of Siphon G 2926 which had arrived in March 1975 as 6912's proposed replacement.[18] 6912's frame was later used on the West Somerset Railway in the restoration of 1896 GWR Clerestory Sleeper 242 (later 9038), for which it was shortened by 17 inches. When 6913 was broken up, 6913 became the only surviving example of the 40 Diagram E148 BCKs originally built[19][2].
See also
References
- ↑ SVRNews 65
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Longworth Vol. 1 (2018) pp. 175.
- ↑ SVR News 35
- ↑ SVR News 42, 50
- ↑ SVR News 43
- ↑ SVR News 46
- ↑ SVR News 49, 50
- ↑ SVR News 52, 53
- ↑ SVR News 56
- ↑ SVR News 76, 77
- ↑ SVR News 162, "Ray Tranter's Dream, a tribute", Martin White
- ↑ SVR News 102
- ↑ SVR News 127
- ↑ The Land Girls on IMDb
- ↑ SVR News 142
- ↑ SVR News 168
- ↑ SVR News 52
- ↑ SVR News 85
- ↑ Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey
Links
- 6913 on www.gw-svr-a.org.uk
- 6913 on Railway Heritage Register On-Line
- 6912 on Railway Heritage Register On-Line
- 9038 on Railway Heritage Register On-Line
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