The LNER Carriage Group
The LNER Carriage Group is part of the SVR Charitable Trust. The group has volunteers in common with The LNER (SVR) Coach Fund; it was formed in 2010 at the time the Coach Fund transferred ownership of three carriages to the Charitable Trust. It maintains and restores LNER carriages owned by the Trust.
The Group restored LNER Corridor Brake 3rd (BTK) 24506 at Bewdley. This carriage is actually BG(P) No 70759, on a replacement underframe from another BG(P) No 70442. Four passenger compartments with side corridor and toilet have been added at one end, whilst the other end consisting of Guard's compartment and luggage van remain in original condition. It was financed mainly by private sponsorship supplemented by revenue from a volunteer run shop and by a grant from the SVR Guarantee Company. 24506 entered SVR traffic on 20/8/16.
The Group has recently raised the finance, for the upgrading of the interior of Tourist Third Open (TTO) 43600 in conjunction with a scheduled overhaul carried out in 2015/16 by SVR(H). £13k was raised by private sponsorship to improve the seating, tables and wall lamps, plus new mirrors, luggage racks and coathooks. Replica LNER pattern moquette was also provided by the Trust to cover the seats. The Group also provided physical assistance by preparing the roof for re-canvassing. TTO 52255 was similarly improved in 2016. The Group expects to assist with the forthcoming scheduled overhauls of BCK 24068, TTO(W) 24105 and TTO 43612 in 2017
The Group's main current (2016) project at Bewdley is the restoration of GWR Toad Brakevan 17410 which has served on the SVR since 1970 and was recently donated to the SVR Charitable Trust. Its in very run-down condition and restoration is expected to take 2-3 years.