WD 55577 Brake Van (fictitious number)
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.[1]
Service
Although designed and built by the Southern Railway, 49010 never saw service with the SRSouthern Railway or BRBritish Rail or British Railways. It was based at the Longmoor Military Railway until closure in 1969, when it moved to the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Bedenham, Gosport.[2]
Preservation
49010 arrived on the SVRSevern Valley Railway from the RNADRoyal Naval Armaments Depot 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 SRSouthern Railway brake van numbered 55577, and this number was duly ‘transferred’ to the restored 49190. During the 1990s, the brake van was used on SVRSevern Valley Railway Steam Schools Specials for which, being vacuum braked, it was well suited.[2]
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 Class 08 "Gladys", Esso Oil Tank Wagon 2686 acting as a water bowser, and a flat wagon with pump equipment.[3]
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,[4] and was completed in September 2017 in time for the wagon to be used in the 2017 Autumn Steam Gala.
Donor 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.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ Railway Heritage Register Wagon Survey
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 SVRSevern Valley Railway Stock Book Ninth Edition
- ↑ Floodline No 16, Thursday 12th July 2007.
- ↑ SVR Wagon Department website retrieved July 2016
