GWR 9085 First Sleeper
| GWR 9085 First Sleeper | |
|---|---|
 9085 at Arley in July 2017 | |
| Built By | BR(W) Swindon |
| Status | Static use |
| Number | 9085 |
| History | |
| Built | 1951 |
| Designed By | Hawksworth |
| Diagram | J18 |
| Lot | 1702 |
| Type | SLF |
| Length | 64ft 0in |
| Weight | 45t 8cwt |
| Seats | 10 berths |
| 1970 | Preserved on SVR |
GWR First Sleeper 9085 was built by BR(W) at Swindon, one of a small batch of four first class sleeping cars (SLF) destined for the London to Milford Haven route.
They were built as Lot No 1702 to Diagram J18 and were a Hawksworth design, with the characteristic sloping roof-ends and flat body-side profile. They had ten berths, each compartment having one bed with a sink, luggage racks, coat hangers, shaver points, and Stone's pressure ventilation (other than two Royal salons and two dining saloons, these were the only carriages of GWR origin with any form of air conditioning).[1] Each carriage also had a compartment for an attendant at one end and a lavatory at the other. At more than 45 tons each, they were then among the heaviest coaching stock to run on British lines, and were equipped with six-wheeled bogies to reduce the axle-load[2][3][4].
Stone's pressure ventilating and heating system equipment
Makers name plate for Stone's pressure ventilating and heating system
Rotary converter to supply AC power for shaver sockets
Service and preservation
As new, these four cars were finished in BR crimson and cream and originally carried the BR-style numbers W9082W to W9085W. W9085W was the last of the four to be completed, and spent the least time in use, having entered service in February 1951 (the first three entered service in April, June, and December 1950 respectively) and been withdrawn along with W9082W in August 1969 (the other two were withdrawn in May 1970). By the time of withdrawal they had been repainted in BR maroon livery.
All four carriages survived into preservation, with three either currently or formerly resident on the SVR. 9084 was the first to be acquired, arriving on the SVR from Old Oak Common in October 1970 having been acquired by a 'group of SVR members'.[5][note 1] 9085 and former resident 9082 both arrived on the SVR on 5 January 1971 from Didcot, having been acquired by the Guarantee Company.[5] All three were used for sleeping accommodation at Arley and Bewdley.[6]
By 1990, ownership of 9085 has been assumed by SVR(H).[7] In winter 1997-98, it was in use for sleeping accommodation at Arley where the 'early turn gang' supporting the Christmas activities would begin work, including shovelling snow, gritting, and thawing frozen water pipes after "spending a chilly night in Hawksworth Sleeper 9085".[8]
By winter 2001-2 9085 was under restoration at Arley. The project, led by Jack Bond with assistance from Hugh McQuade, was originally anticipated to take around three years,[9] although it was summer 2010 before 9085 was moved to the Kidderminster paint shop for final finishing off. After being repainted in (non-authentic) GWR 1942-47 livery, with the coat of arms insignia flanked by 'GREAT' and 'WESTERN', 9085 returned to Arley on 16 October 2010. The move gave a rare opportunity to see two of the Hawksworth sleepers 9084 and 9085 coupled together while shunting took place, before 9084 moved on to Hampton Loade.[10]
9085 in 2015
While in use for staff accommodation at Arley station, 9085 has regularly been positioned at the end of Siding 2 (nearest the river). During spring/summer 2017, it was repainted there by Bridgnorth Loco Works painter Mick Flint.[11] When photographed there in July 2017 (main picture top right) painting was complete although the 'coat of arms' had not been reinstated.
See also
Notes
- ↑ Ownership of 9084 was later recorded as by R.H.Dunn (Stock Books Five to Seven) and SVR(H) (Stock Books Eight and Nine). It is now owned by the Charitable Trust.
References
- ↑ Harris (1966) p. 120.
- ↑ SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition
- ↑ Charitable Trust website
- ↑ Longworth (2018) p.112.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 SVR Stock Book Third and Fourth Editions
- ↑ SVR Stock Book Eighth and Ninth Editions
- ↑ SVR Stock Book Eighth Edition
- ↑ SVR News 125
- ↑ SVR News 138
- ↑ SVR News 170, 171, 173
- ↑ SVR News 199
Links
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