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[[File: WD_55577_20150307{{Infobox wagon|image = 55577 restored.jpg |thumb|200px|right| caption = WD Brake Van 55577 (fictitious number)]]|construc = SR (Ashford)|status = Operational|wagno = 55577|othernos = WD 11035, ARMY 49010|designed = |diagram = 1579|lot = 1852|wagtype = Brake Van|capacity = 25 tons|telcode = PILLBOX|brakes = Vacuum braked|built = 1942|years1 = 1990|events1 = Entered preservation|years2 = 1991|events2 = Entered service|years3 = 2015|events3 = Overhaul commenced|years4 = 2017|events4 = Re-entered service|years5 = |events5 = |years6 = |events6 = }}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>

The van is ex-==Service==Although designed and built by the Southern Railway, 49010 never saw service with the SR or BR. It was based at the Longmoor Military Railwayuntil closure in 1969, and when it moved to RNAD the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Bedenham in 1969, Gosport. It arrived on the <ref name=SB9>SVR in July 1990.Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref>

==Preservation==49010 arrived on the SVR from the RNAD on 10 July 1990. After arrival a number of parts were replaced including several side and roof planks, one verandah end and the floor. The original Brake Van 55577 roof was burned outalso recanvassed, but parts were used and the wagon painted.<ref>SVR News 98</ref>. The decision was taken to paint it in the Southern Railway colours portraying its parent company origin rather than its military history. The restoration of used parts from an original SR brake van numbered 55577, and this van which now carries that numberwas duly ‘transferred’ to the restored 49010.<ref name=SB9/>

The Restoration was completed in time for the wagon is seen to enter traffic during the 'Freight Weekend' on 1-2 June 1991. On its next appearance in the photograph adjacent 1991 Autumn Steam Gala, an incident resulted in damage to [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed]]the wheel profiles on one axle. {{As of|2017|01}}, it is undergoing restoration by The axle was removed and transported to Bridgnorth where the wheels were reprofiled; the opportunity was also taken to replace a leaking vacuum cylinder and fit the [[Wagon Department]] in [[Bewdley Goods Shed]]cabin doors with square locks to prevent unauthorised access.<ref>SVR News 102</ref>

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 [[Diesel Locomotives hired by the SVR|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> and was completed in September 2017 in time for the wagon to be used in the 2017 Autumn Steam Gala.<br clear="all"/> <gallery>File: WD_55577_20150307.jpg | 55577 awaiting overhaul in March 2015File:55577 inside goods shed.jpg | 55577 under overhaul inside Bewdley Goods Shed in April 2016</gallery> ==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/>  =Sources=See also==*[[Goods Wagons | List of goods wagons]] ==References==Railway Heritage Register Wagon Survey<brreferences />

*[http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrustrhrp.org.uk/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=9666 WD 55577 (fictitious) on vintagecarriagestrust.orgRailway Heritage Register On-Line]<br>*[http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrustrhrp.org.uk/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=8152 WD 55577 ((framework only)) on vintagecarriagestrust.orgRailway Heritage Register On-Line]<br>

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