GWR 80969 Inspection Saloon

GWR 80969 Inspection Saloon
Severn Valley 1940's Weekend (9236474289).jpg
GWR 80969 Inspection Saloon
Built By GWR Swindon
Status In service
Number 80969
Other numbers DW80969
History
Built 1948
Designed By Hawksworth
Diagram Q13
Lot 1701
Type Nondescript, INSP
Length 52ft 0in
Weight 31t (approx)
Seats 23 (as now used)
1973 Preserved on SVR

Carriages

80969 is one of six 52ft inspection saloons (INSP) built at Swindon as lot number 1701 to diagram Q13.[1] It was ordered under FW Hawksworth’s tenure as GWR CME, although it has little visual similarity to his other carriage designs.[2]

Contents

80969 in service and preservation

80969 entered service in January 1948 in what had by then become the BR Western Region. As a Departmental vehicle allocated to the Western region it carried the number DW80969. It later moved to the Scottish Region, where it ended service at Cowlairs, Glasgow in 1973.

80969 in preservation

80969 arrived on the SVR at Bewdley on 6 April 1973, having been privately purchased by a member of the Great Western (SVR) Association. It was initially painted in BR all-blue livery and used as the General Manager’s office.[3][2] By 1977 ownership has been assumed by another private individual. 80969 then received an overhaul in summer 1978. The interior was stripped and re-varnished, while the plumbing and gas cooker were also overhauled. The exterior was repainted into Hawksworth era Chocolate and Cream livery and new carpets were fitted, with the overhaul being completed just in time for a return to service as an Observation Car in the September 1978 Enthusiasts weekend.[4]

80969 was used in the filming of Series 7 Episode 1 of Father Brown, first broadcast on 7 January 2019.[5]

In March 2019 it was outshopped from Kidderminster Carriage Works after a light overhaul where work took place on the water tank, pipework and upholstery, together with a repaint. 80969 continues in use as an Observation Car, normally being attached to the end of a rake of carriages for private hire or ‘cream tea’ specials.[6] It seats up to 23 people and is furnished with armchairs, settees and tables in the two saloons, which are separated by a corridor off which are found a toilet, small kitchen and guard’s office. It is finished in GWR 1942-47 livery, with the coat of arms insignia flanked by 'GREAT' and 'WESTERN'.

It is owned by Geoff Page.[7]

Sister vehicle GWR 80972 Inspection Saloon is also resident on the SVR.

Gallery

Interior views of 80969

See also

References

  1. Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey
  2. 2.0 2.1 SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition
  3. SVR News 28
  4. SVR News 48-49
  5. Review of episode on BBC iPlayer
  6. SVR Website
  7. Traffic notice 7 May 2022

Links

SVR Wiki

Main Page

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Welcome to the Severn Valley Railway Wiki

From this week's featured article
Trimpley Reservoir can be seen to the west of the line between Bewdley and Arley. The reservoir, which is managed by Severn Trent Water, was opened in 1968 and covers 29 acres. It is open to the public and is used by the Trimpley Sailing Club, while other activities include angling, wildlife watching and walking. (Full article...)
Schematic Map of the SVRSevern Valley Railway
BridgnorthEardingtonHampton LoadeCountry Park HaltHighleyThe Engine HouseArleyVictoria BridgeNorthwood HaltWyre Forest LineBewdleyStourport BranchBewdley TunnelConnection to Network RailKidderminsterMaps#Schematic maps of the pre-closure SVRMapandlinks.png
Click on the map for a
larger interactive version

For 101 years between 1862 and 1963, the Severn Valley Railway formed part of the national railway network, running for 40 miles between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. Established as a separate company, it was mainly operated by the Great Western Railway (GWRGreat Western Railway) and later by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways).

The present day Severn Valley Railway (SVRSevern Valley Railway) was established in 1965 to preserve part of the line as a heritage railway. Today it has six stations and two halts and runs for 16 miles along the Severn Valley between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Operations involve a mixture of steam and heritage diesel-hauled services.

This unofficial website is a project aimed to collect information and record events relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both past and present.

For timetables, fare information, and news about special events, please visit the SVR Official Website. Other news and information of interest to members, shareholders and enthusiasts can be found on SVRLive.

In April 2023 the SVRSevern Valley Railway announced the launch of a Survival Fund to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Survival Fund page.

Categories of article

History of the Severn Valley Railway

Current events on the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Information about the SVRSevern Valley Railway

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Query Corner

Unsurprisingly, there are a large number of questions about the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both in pre-preservation days and for a number of historical items since then. Take a visit down to Query Corner to see if you have a recollection relating to some long forgotten event, or know of a reliable source (maybe an early edition of the SVR News?) that might have the information we need!

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