GWR 162 Riding/Dormitory Van

GWRGreat Western Railway 162 Riding/Dormitory Van
GWRGreat Western Railway Riding and Dormitory Van 162]
Built By	GWRGreat Western Railway Swindon
Status	Static use
Number	162
Other Numbers	DW 162
History
Built	1923
Type	Engineers vehicle
Telegraphic code	None
Brakes	Vac fitted
1976	Preserved on SVRSevern Valley Railway
Goods Wagons

162 is a GWRGreat Western Railway 4-wheel Riding and Dormitory Van. In service these ran paired with 6-wheel Tool vans such as GWR 66, and were stationed at GWRGreat Western Railway loco sheds. The Tool and Riding Van pairs would be required to attend mishaps as fast as possible and were vacuum-braked to allow running at near express speeds. The riding vans were gas lit and had stoves for heating and cooking while on site. As Engineers' vehicles, they were not allocated a telegraphic code.

Service and preservation

162 was built at Swindon in 1923. It arrived on the SVRSevern Valley Railway from Ashchurch on 23 April 1976. Ownership in the 1998 SVRSevern Valley Railway stock book was recorded as Erlestoke Manor Fund Trustee; the Erlestoke Manor Fund newsletter for March 2002 referred to Bob Marrows' ex GWRGreat Western Railway Permanent way van, much in use for painting and storing our small fittings. In February 2020 Bob Marrows offered to transfer ownership of the van to The Erlestoke Manor Fund for a nominal sum, on condition the Fund would maintain it and respect its historical value. This transfer duly took place in March 2020.

162 and another riding van, GWR 9, are both located in Bewdley Down Yard behind the 'tent' under which 2047 Warwickshire is being restored.

See also

List of goods wagons

References

Links

• 162 on Railway Heritage Register On-Line