GWR 9103 Nondescript Saloon
9103 is the final Collett version of the Churchward prototype 1912 ‘toplight’ nondescript saloon 9055, and is one of a batch of ten built in 1929. Like 9055 and 9369, it seated 44 passengers in two saloons with a side-corridor connection and was used for private hire, the term ‘nondescript’ signifying it was not allocated to any one specific class such as first or third. The Collett version displays the characteristics of the GWR ‘bow-ended’ era, without the ‘toplight’ windows of the prototype.
Following withdrawal in the early 1960s, 9103 became part of the “Westward Television Train”, an exhibition train which visited 22 towns to publicise the opening of Westward Television in 1961[1]. It arrived at Bewdley in January 1972, having been privately purchased from Danygraig, Swansea, and was returned to service in 2013. The high quality restoration of the coach resulted in the Heritage Railway Association winning the title of Overall Winner in the Carriage and Wagon category of the Heritage Railway Association Awards in November 2015.[2]
As of December 2015[update], 9103 is owned by The Great Western (SVR) Association and is in service, normally appearing in the GWR2 set. It is finished in GWR 1928-34 chocolate and cream livery featuring the ‘coat of arms’ logo.
GWR Coat of Arms
References
SVR Stock Book, Ninth Edition
Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey
- ↑ 78rpm.co.uk retrieved 8 July 2015
- ↑ SVR News 192, "Great Western (SVR) Association Progress", Gareth J. Price