GW650 and SVR Carriage Dept at Bewdley

The SVR Carriage Dept at Bewdley has shifted its focus onto contract work and is now well into its second big contract to externally repair GW650. Please see the GW(SVR) Association website for details of the restoration 650 Appeal that aims to generate funds to restore this unique vehicle. http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/650_restoration.html

The carriage contract service currently has capacity in 2011 to undertake external contract work. Any prospective customers can be directed to the SVR engineering services website where a description of what it can provide is given along with contact details. www.svr-engineering.co.uk/

Patrick

 

A couple of updates.

GW(SVR)A Collett open brake third 650 website http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/650_restoration.html shows images of the continuing contract repairs in SVR workshops. The re-panelled west side is pretty well complete and the new roof edge is in place. Work has now begun on the east side with repairs to the top cant rail and knee irons.

From the main SVR website http://www.svr.co.uk/News.aspx: “Access for the less able at the Severn Valley Railway has taken another step forward with the conversion of an area in our diesel unit for use by visitors in wheelchairs. There is plenty of space for wheelchairs and four comfortable seats for the use of others who may be travelling with the less able person. This area is also equipped with a folding ramp which enables our staff to connect the train with the platform at all stations along the line”. The work was undertaken in vehicle 50933 under contract to Bewdley C&W.

The Bewdley C&W site is http://www.svr-engineering.co.uk/carriage/carriage-repair-services.html

Patrick

 

So which railway is the owner of 650?

Regards

 

650 is owned by the GWSVRA - the long standing resident GW coach owning volunteer organisation which owns most of the SVR based GWR coaches.

It has not yet run in preservation.

 

Just taken a look at their website http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/650.html, most impressive. A the restoration of 650 is a contract job, I assume that the GW(SVR)A is paying the SVR for the restoration.

Regards

 

I think the SVR Carriage Dept at Bewdley undertook an assessment of work to to bring the coach up to a watertight condition, and the GWR(SVR)A as vehicle owner has agreed and paid for a specific set of work which includes as removal of the panels, repairs to the wooden framework with more substantial rebuilding around the guard's compartment, and re-fixing or replacing the panels.

Having already worked on class 108 railcar 50933, sister vehicle 51941 has been withdrawn for bodywork repaint, guard’s area conversion, resealing of the roof, and maintenance / repair work to the vacuum brake system. Again, work will be undertaken by Bewdley C&W under contract. These vehicles are owned by DMU Group (West Midlands) http://www.svr-dmu.org.uk/

As mentioned above the The SVR Carriage Dept at Bewdley has shifted its focus onto contract work and currently has capacity in 2011 to undertake external contract work. Any prospective customers can be directed to the SVR engineering services website www.svr-engineering.co.uk/ where a description of what it can provide is given along with contact details.

Patrick