Unidentified Vac fitted Wagon

Can anyone identify this wagon, there are no plates left on it and it has a GW look about it.

 

Well it has GWR cast into the buffer casings and GWR axleboxes. I'm not certain about the wheels, they look to be a different age to the rest of the wagon.
The unusual aspect is it is a 7 plank wagon with vacuum brake, but fitted with a door from a standard 5 plank wagon.
A couple of ex GWR hyfits lasted until the late 1970's in the pool of wagons used for ball clay traffic from Furzebrook, near Wareham.
Cheers, Neil

 

Agree the GWR fittings, it also has a typical GWR blacksmith forged instanter link. BR instanters were more like a pressing. Its speculation but if sold into private use, colliery, quary etc it could be a bitsa with wheels and door from another wagon or two just to keep it going

 

It looks rather like a GWR Diagram O22 or O36 Open-A except that it doesn't have a sheet supporter. Also it is now a 5.5 plank wagon with that extra half plank second from top. I havn't yet managed to find a photo or drawing of a GWR wagon with a body like this so this may be a non-standard mod.

 

It's located near Wye Valley Reclamations on the Rotherwas Industrial Estate, Hereford. http://goo.gl/maps/sWip8

I don't imagine it would have retained its Vac gear if it was sold into industrial service.

 

The hole in the side of the solebar is intriguing.

If it's a GWR vehicle it will almost certainly have its number stamped on the frame where the works plate should be.

 

The hole in the solebar, (usually two each side, just inboard of the axleguards) was a common feature of earlier GW wagons, especially those fitted with Dean-Churchward brake gear. I was told they were for rope shunting, but I am not sure this is correct.

David

 

Its a GWR Open A, the hole is for horse shunting to attach the rope, the kerb rails have been removed, which was a standard Port of Bristol Authority (probably amongst many others) bodge job when they rotted. The reason for 5 plank wagons becoming 5 1/2 was owing to availability of suitable size planks during the war, so the 10 inch plank at the top was replaced by a 7 inch and three inch one

 

It is this one:

http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=11358

 

Hello,
That is the one.
Been trying to find out who owns it for the last six months.
Would be a great addition to any heritage railway.

nick

 

Great to get some accurate details of this survivor. Some details of its post GWR ownership would be interesting.

I read that there is a similar vehicle at the SVR (Nick will know of that one) and another at the South Devon.

 

I don't know who owns it, but I would try:

http://www.wyevalleygroup.co.uk/

as it ajoins their property.

 

Hello,
Tried them. No reply.....will keep trying till I find out!

Yes the Fund has one on the SVR. GWR 108085
Six have been preserved I think..will post later.

Nick

 

hello,
6 have survived.
Two owned by the 813 Fund on the SVR
One on the WSR...no brake cylinder
2 on the SDR...no brake cylinders. bit of confusion on the SDR with numbering etc.
And the red one..with brake cylinder.


So a rare beast indeed on the roundabout!

Nick

 

I think the ropes used for both horse shunting and moving wagons by capstans had a large metal hook on the end. Hence the holes in the solebar were where the hooks could be placed.