Rolling Stock Movements

Presumably it spent its first 5 years as broad gauge and then converted to standard? Maybe Didcot will return it to original condition?

 

Thanks for the confirmation.

 

No need, they already have the body of its twin 6824 (the NRM's one was 6820) which would be ideal for that as it's already been hacked about (it's known as the Chicken Shed on site).

820/6820/W9962W has it's original NG underframe, which is (I think) a unique survivor with outside brake rodding. I daresay there are a lot more clues to original features too, for those that have the will to see.

A back conversion for 6824 would 'just' need a new BG underframe as that was the only change. It still shows two distinct sets of bolt holes in the bottom longitudinal timbers.

Pete S.

 

Thanks for these details.

 

not my photograph. feel sorry for the Teddy.

 

Crikey that does look a bit of a state.

 

I wouldn't.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_(film)

 

I know, he got to work with the lovely Mila Kunis.

 

Really? It looks pretty good to my eyes, especially for something that started life 135 years ago.

The roof covering looks OK & there are no obvious sags, the eaves, centre rail & bottomside all look straight & the panelling is intact. Looks like someone's been at a couple of the galvanised panels with a scraper, but that's not critical.
My only (minor) concern is the few panes of missing glass & the rather ill-fitting door to the Second Class compartment, but they're an easy fix to ensure weatherproofing.

Pete S.

 

I took this picture as coach W9962W arrived into Didcot Railway Centre yesterday afternoon, having been delivered from the ‘West Yard’.
I have not looked inside yet but it looked reasonable on the outside and was running.

Dr Iain

 

Quick repaint and it's a runner then!

 

Good to see this coach has gone to a good home for it. Great project

 

some more photos Didcot Railway Centre.

 

“Former broad gauge carriage pulled by class 66” is quite cool!

(“chicken shed pulled by shed”)

Tom

 

Nice touch they painted them in matching liveries as well.

The text accompanying the DRC pictures on Facebook is below;

We are pleased to have taken delivery of GWR coach No 820, a vehicle built in 1887 as a Broad Gauge Convertible. That is to say the coach body, was designed to fit within the standard loading gauge and to be mounted on a standard gauge underframe, but originally entered service on a broad-gauge underframe. This was done to meet an immediate need for more broad gauge stock, whilst ensuring that the coach bodies could be re-used when the broad gauge was finally abolished in 1892.
The coach moved last weekend from West Yard to the Railway Centre on our regular Saturday shuttle move. No 820 was sandwiched between the class 66 diesel, and two of the Centre’s air-braked wagons loaded with ballast to be used in the foundations of the Heyford station building being reconstructed.
Originally built as a ‘Tricomposite’ vehicle having first, second and third class compartments, and a luggage compartment, the second class compartment was downgraded to third in about 1907.
The coach was withdrawn from passenger service around 1952 becoming a departmental vehicle. Originally preserved by Bristol Museums Service, she made several visits to Swindon Museum and to the National Railway Museum (NRM) at York, before ending up at the NRM’s depot in Shildon.
Occasionally the Science Museum Group, including the NRM, thin out their collection by offering certain exhibits to other accredited museums. Coach No 820 was offered for relocation last year. Following a successful bid, ownership was transferred from the Science Museum Group, to the Great Western Society at Didcot. The vehicle was transported by Road from Shildon to Didcot West Yard and, once the necessary checks had been made, by rail the short distance to Didcot Railway Centre on 7 May 2022.
It is our long term aim to restore the carriage to operational use in the condition she would have been at the point of changeover. As such she will add to our small fleet of Victorian carriages.

 

Class 03 D2069 has been loaded up to depart the Dean Forest Railway. Apparently off to another line, but not aware of which one.

 

Coles crane 18791 10t
Has moved from the NRM at York too the DVLR at Murton just outside York.

 

DFR group claims Chinnor. For how long is not known.

 

On a similar note, 03 078 has moved from the North Tyneside Railway to Embsay for an intial 6 months. Will act as a Thunderbird, vac braked shunter and help reduce fire risk. It's working the vintage trains set on Sunday including the first public appearance of L&Y Directors Saloon #1.