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[[File: WD_55577_20150307Brake_Van_55577_20170715.jpg |thumb|300px|right| WD Brake Van 55577 (fictitious number) awaiting after overhaul in March 2015July 2017]]
This 25 ton capacity Brake Van was built by the Southern Railway’s Ashford Works in 1942 for the War Department, hence the designated telegraphic code ‘Pillbox’. Its registration number was WD(S) 1021, and first wagon number was WD 11035, later ARMY 49010.<ref>Railway Heritage Register Wagon Survey</ref>
==Preservation==
[[File: WD_55577_20150307.jpg |thumb|300px|left| WD Brake Van 55577 (fictitious number) awaiting overhaul in March 2015]]49010 arrived on the SVR from the RNAD in July 1990. After arrival it was restored and the decision taken to paint it in Southern Railway colours portraying its parent company origin rather than its military history. The restoration used parts from an original SR brake van numbered 55577, and this number was duly ‘transferred’ to the restored 49190. During the 1990s, the brake van was used on SVR Steam Schools Specials for which, being vacuum braked, it was well suited.<ref name=SB9/>
Following the [[2007 Storm Damage]], 55577 was used as brake van on the 'Drain high pressure train' working between Bewdley and Northwood Halt. The train also involved [[Former Residents#Diesel Locomotives|Class 08 "Gladys"]], [[Esso Oil Tank Wagon 2686]] acting as a water bowser, and a flat wagon with pump equipment.<ref>Floodline No 16, Thursday 12th July 2007.</ref>
In March 2015 the wagon was photographed adjacent to [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed]] where it was awaiting an overhaul. This began in October 2015, being carried out by the [[Wagon Department]] in [[Bewdley Goods Shed]].<ref>[http://svrwagons.wixsite.com/svrwagons/wagon-restoration SVR Wagon Department website] retrieved July 2016</ref> {{As of|2017|07}} the overhaul is almost complete.
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==Donor brake van 55577==
[[File: Works_Plate_55577_20170715.jpg |thumb|300px|right| The works plate of donor SR brake van 55577]]The original Brake Van 55577 was built at Lancing in 1930. Its carcass was burned out at Stewarts Lane in London, but was acquired so that parts could be used in the restoration of the 1942 brake van which now carries the number.<ref name=SB9/>
==See also==
