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Unidentified Vac fitted Wagon

Discussion in 'Heritage Rolling Stock' started by Avonside1563, Aug 13, 2013.

  1. Avonside1563

    Avonside1563 Well-Known Member

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

    IMG_2746.JPG
     
  2. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

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    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
     
  3. threelinkdave

    threelinkdave Well-Known Member

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    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
     
  4. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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  5. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    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.
     
  6. Avonside1563

    Avonside1563 Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  7. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Thanks, must go have a look next time I am passing.
     
  8. pmh_74

    pmh_74 Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
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  9. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    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
     
  10. olly5764

    olly5764 Well-Known Member

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    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
     
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  11. simon

    simon Resident of Nat Pres

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  12. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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  13. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2015
  14. simon

    simon Resident of Nat Pres

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

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

    as it ajoins their property.
     
  15. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    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
     
  16. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    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
     
  17. John Webb

    John Webb Member

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    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.
     

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