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.
The van is ex-Longmoor Military Railway, and moved to RNADRoyal Naval Armaments Depot Bedenham in 1969. It arrived on the SVRSevern Valley Railway in July 1990.
The original Brake Van 55577 was burned out, but parts were used in the restoration of this van which now carries that number.
The wagon is seen in the photograph adjacent to Kidderminster Carriage Shed. As of december 2015, it is undergoing restoration by the Wagon Department in Bewdley Goods Shed
Sources
Railway Heritage Register Wagon Survey
Links
WD 55577 (fictitious) on vintagecarriagestrust.org
WD 55577 ((framework only)) on vintagecarriagestrust.org
