Trustworthy, bureaucrat, administrator
5,275
edits
Changes
add link
{{Infobox wagon
|image = PO_345_20170401Regent Tank 345.jpg
|caption = Ex Regent Oil & Texaco Aviation Fuel Tank Wagon No 345
|construc = Chas Roberts
|status = Stored awaiting overhaulIn service
|wagno = 345
|othernos = TEX 47795
|lot =
|wagtype = 4-wheel Class B Tank
|capacity = 22 tons
|telcode =
|brakes = Vac fitted
==Service==
The tank was initially used by the Regent Oil Company, and which was later re-branded as Texaco Ltd in 1967.<ref>[https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Regent_Oil_Co Grace's Guide]</ref> While used by Texaco as , it was allocated TOPS number TEX 47795. Its final duty was in freight trains carrying aviation fuel from Edinburgh to Prestwick Airport<ref name=SB9>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref> for which it carried the registration number BR(D) 35<ref name=RHRWS/>.
==Preservation==
Restoration began in 1989, with 345's chassis seeing the first use of the [[Wagon Department]]’s newly acquired shot blasting equipment. The chassis was completely shot blasted and repainted; the reservoir casing of one vacuum cylinder which was damaged during shotblasting was removed and overhauled. Details of the original Regent Oil livery were obtained from Procor Engineering who took over Chas Roberts. The tank barrel was then repainted in all-over black, the Regent Oil signs consisting of two four foot diameter circles of coach panel were fitted, and the lettering completed according to the manufacturer's original drawing.<ref name=SVR92/>
Following this restoration, 345 saw little or no use. However in autumn 2016 2006 it received a further overhaul at Bewdley to enable it to be used by the P. Way Department to store water for the [[Smiths, Rodley DW35 6-ton steam crane |6 ton steam crane]], enabling 431 to be released from this role for overhaul. A new gate valve and 2" BSP outlet pipe were fitted and other repair work was carried out to the brakes and buffers. Repainting was completed in time for the wagon to take part in the 2006 Autumn Steam Gala [[Demonstration Goods Train]].<ref name=SVR155/>
In 2019 it was 'red carded' for a faulty Oleo buffer and moved in to [[Bewdley Down Yard]] for repair. While there, the opportunity was taken to repaint it. It returned to service on December 17 2019. The main photograph shows 345 in Regent Oil livery at Highley Bewdley in April 2017December 2019. It is owned by [[SVR(H)]]<ref name=SB9/>.
==Gallery==
PO_345_20150307.jpg|345 at Highley, March 2015
PO_345_20170726.jpg|Regent Oil owners plate (left) and Chas Roberts works plate (right)
PO_345_20170401.jpg|345 at Arley, April 2017
</gallery>
==See also==
[[Goods Wagons | List of goods wagons]]<br>[[Regent Oil & Texaco 431 Aviation Fuel Tank Wagon]]<br>[[Leapgate Private Sidings | Leapgate Private Sidings, owned by Regent/Texaco]]
==References==
<references/>
==Links==
*[http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrustrhrp.org.uk/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=9667 PO 345 on vintagecarriagestrust.orgRailway Heritage Register On-Line]<br>
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category:Rolling stock in Bewdley Down Yard]]
[[Category: Rolling stock owned by SVR(H)]]
