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[[File:{{Infobox wagon|image = GWR_97398_20160514.jpg|caption = GWR 97398 5 plank Open Goods Wagon|construc = R.D.C.jpgWoolwich Arsenal|status = Operational|wagno = 97398|othernos = C 127|designed = |diagram = O18|lot = 857|wagtype = 4-w 5-plank Open|telcode = OPEN A|brakes = |built = 1921|years1 = 1974|events1 = Arrived on SVR|thumbyears2 = 1982|300pxevents2 = Restored|rightyears3 = 1985|events3 = Mainline service}}'''GWR 97398 ''' is a 5 -plank Open Goods Wagon]]open goods wagon of type 'OPEN A', signifying a 10-ton capacity open merchandise wagon with a sheet support (which it no longer has) but not equipped with vacuum brakes<ref name=SB9>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref>.

==Service==The GWR built many thousands of open wagons at Swindon, but 97398 was part of Lot 857, a batch of 500 built in 1921 to Diagram O18, Lot 857 at the Woolwich Arsenal , under measures which were taken to provide continuity of employment after the end of the First World War production measures. It is a type ‘Open A’<ref>[[Bibliography#Other References|Atkins, Beard & Tourret (2013)]] pp. 28, signifying a 10-ton capacity open wagon 279.</ref> After serving with a sheet support the GWR and BR(which it no longer hasW) but not equipped , 97398 ended its working life with vacuum brakesthe Port of London Authority where it was numbered C 127<ref name = SB9/>.

==Preservation==97398 finished its working life with the Port of London Authority where it was numbered C 127. It arrived on the SVR from the London Docks on 13 August 1974 and is owned , having been acquired by [[The GWR 813 Preservation Fund]].<brref>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref> It was cosmetically repainted, but not finally restored until 1981-2. The restoration required the complete replacement of the woodwork, the poor condition of which was highlighted when one person put their foot through the floor. A badly twisted headstock was replaced using steel of similar section from a scrapped LMS coach and a new curb rail was also made and fitted. The woodwork was replaced using a supply of reasonable quality second hand timber, which the 813 Fund succeeded in obtaining from the Port of Bristol Authority who were in the process of scrapping their fleet of internal wagons. To complete the restoration, 97398 was repainted in 1921 livery.<ref>SVR News 66</ref>

Once restored, 97398 appeared on the main line in 1985 as part of the [[The Severn Valley Railway on the main line#SVR Wagons used on the main line in preservation| GW 150 demonstration freight train]] which ran to Newport behind [[2857|GWR freight loco 2857]].<ref>SVR News 78</ref> 97398 was used for storing coal at Arley during [[Christmas services]] for a number of years, resulting in a second complete re-timbering being required in 1991.<ref>SVR News 102</ref> Another overhaul was carried out in 2007, with a number of side, end, door and planks being replaced after damage had been caused by an unsuccessful attempt to set fire to the wagon. After repainting, the wagon returned to service in May 2007. In 2010 it was included in the [[Spring Steam Gala]] [[Demonstration Goods Train]]<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1425&highlight=97398 SVR-Online Forum, Traffic News 4 March 2010]</ref> 97398 is owned by The GWR 813 Preservation Fund. <gallery mode=packed heights=150px style="text-align:left">GWR 97398 5 plank Open Goods Wagon.jpg|97398 at Bewdley</gallery> ==See Alsoalso==

*[http://www.gwr813.org/pagew49.html 97398 on www.gwr813.org]<br>*[http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrustrhrp.org.uk/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=7459 97398 on www.vintagecarriagestrust.orgRailway Heritage Register On-Line]<br>