GWR 83831 Loco Coal Wagon
| GWR 83831 Loco Coal Wagon | |
|---|---|
 GWR 83831 Loco Coal Wagon | |
| Built By | GWR Swindon |
| Status | Operational |
| Number | 83831 |
| Other Numbers | CB 66 |
| History | |
| Built | 1931-32 |
| Diagram | N27 |
| Lot | 1024 |
| Type | 4-wheel steel open |
| Capacity | 20 tons |
| 1985 | Arrived on SVR |
| 1986 | Rebuilt |
| 2005 | Major overhaul |
Contents
Contents
Service
83831 was built at Swindon circa 1931-32 to Diagram N27, Lot 1084. It was later sold by BR(W) to the CEGB for use at the Carmarthen Bay Power Station, numbered CB 66[1].
Preservation
83831 was acquired from there in 1985 by its present owners, The GWR 813 Preservation Fund, arriving on the SVR on 4 March of that year.[2] It was initially in poor condition with rusty bodywork and damaged headstocks and buffer casings resulting from being used at the CEGB with broken buffer springs. It also had a lopsided appearance due to the two sides having different springs and tyres of different thickness.
83831 was totally rebuilt at Bewdley over the winter of 1985-1986 with the floor and platework being replaced and the various faults remedied. The seven month restoration was completed in June 1986. Despite its large capacity, it initially saw little use due to the difficulty of emptying it through its comparatively small side doors.[3]
In spring 2004 83831 returned to the Wagon Department for a repaint and what was anticipated to be minor repairs to the wagon floor.[4] Further investigation revealed that subsequent use, including storing coal, loco ash and also rubble from the rebuilding of Highley platform, had reduced the original 6mm steel floor to a thickness of only 1mm in places. A new floor was therefore fitted for a second time in preservation, with completion of the overhaul and painting coinciding with the 2005 Autumn Steam Gala.[5]
83831 is now principally used in the Demonstration Goods Train.