LMS Brake Third Corridor 26921
| LMS Brake Third Corridor 26921 | |
|---|---|
 LMS Brake Third Corridor 26921 in April 2020 | |
| Built By | BR Wolverton |
| Status | Under overhaul |
| Number | 26921 |
| Other numbers | W26921M |
| History | |
| Built | 1951 |
| Designed By | Stanier |
| Diagram | 2161 |
| Lot | 1506 |
| Type | CH, BTK |
| Length | 57ft |
| Weight | 30T |
| Seats | 24 third |
| 1968 | Arrived on SVR |
| 1980 | Attended Rocket 150 at Rainhill |
| 2015 | Overhaul started |
LMS Brake Third Corridor (BTK) 26921 is an example of the port-hole stock designed by Stanier before the War but implemented by his successors C E Fairburn and H G Ivatt.
Service[edit | edit source]
26921 was built in 1951 by BR at Wolverton as lot number 1506 to diagram number 2161.[1] Unlike the Corridor Composite version, the Brake Third Corridor continued the use of timber framing with steel top, bottom and corner members. The livery when new in service was BR Crimson and Cream. In BR service the carriage was renumbered W26921M, indicating that it was allocated to the BR(W) region[2].
Preservation[edit | edit source]
By summer 1968, still some two years before the official reopening of the SVR in preservation, the decision had been taken to create two five-coach rakes of carriages, one LMS and one GWR to match the locomotives then arriving at the railway. An inspection of redundant vehicles at Didcot identified seven suitable coaches including 26921.[note 1] A scheme to acquire these was launched, led by Chris George, and all were acquired by various members and groups within a few weeks.[3] The coaches arrived on the SVR from Didcot on 28 August 1968 and the two rakes including 26921 were used in that Autumn's steam gala.[4] Ownership of 26921 was initially recorded as RCJ Wilcox until 1971,[5] and later by the SVR Company and ultimately SVR(H).[6]
26921's external steel panels were all renewed in 1979, though not fully welded together.[7] Following a request from BR for a brake vehicle to work with an unbraked vehicle (the NRM's LMS carriage 14241) in the Cavalcades at the Rocket 150 celebrations at Rainhill in May 1980, 26921 received a quick repaint before travelling north as one of three SVR coaches which took part in the proceedings.[8]
SVR service continued until the mid-1980s when 26921 suffered damage to a bogie due to steel left on the track by vandals.[9][note 2].
Overhaul from 2015[edit | edit source]
Long-term outdoor storage, vandalism and theft of parts meant 26921 was in poor condition. In spring 2015 the decision was taken that it would become the L.M.S. & B.R. Coach Department Sales Coach in Bridgnorth cattle dock. Much work was required, beginning with repairs to the roof to make it water-tight. The window glasses were re-bedded and broken glass replaced. The body sides were stripped, rust-treated and painted in maroon undercoat. The four passenger doors had substantial repairs or replacement, using components from two porthole brakes, 26668 and 27023, which were broken up for spares in the 1970s. Four pairs of compartment door locks and handles were missing, so patterns were made by the MPD pattern shop volunteers to have castings made.[10] Maroon top coat was applied later in 2015.[11]
The picture below shows 26921 in March 2016, unlined and un-numbered.
LMS Brake Third Corridor 26921 in March 2016
Despite being halted by lockdown, work continued in 2021.
The external steel panels renewed in 1979 saw all seams ground out and seam-welded.[7] The old body end panels have been replaced with galvanised steel.[10] At the passenger compartments end the coach end and gangway tunnel were rebuilt, and heavy corrosion around the doorways dealt with by renewal of steel pillars.[7]
It required a new floor throughout, as the corrugated iron subfloor had corroded. A new steel tray was installed in the lavatory for terrazzo specialists to create the marble-chip surface.[7] The lavatory compartment was refitted, with the new terrazzo floor cast in situ, and missing components for the complex LMS plumbing found or made at Kidderminster Carriage Repair Works.[10]
The window frames were reconstructed early in 2022, replacing corroded pieces with aluminium plate salvaged from the old body end panels.[10] The aluminium sliding window units were rebuilt because of corroded backing plates and the drainage system renovated to make it more effective.[7]
The vestibule was re-equipped with new veneered plywood sheets and the original corridor and compartment panels removed for restoration. Having never had its interior redecorated in all its years on the SVR, extensive cleaning was also required. Once watertight, work focused on re-wiring the restored north end of the carriage. Ceiling panels were made, fitted, and painted, along with the restored veneer panels. Early in 2023 a start was also made on roof and gutter repairs on the southern half.[10]
The second stage of this project would involve rebuilding the luggage area into a wheelchair, lavatory and open saloon format.[7] Volunteers at Kidderminster also rebuilt four sets of brass sliding windows to be used in this phase of the project.[10] With the remodelling of the compartment-side bodywork completed, 26921 made the journey to Kidderminster in early 2024 to be turned on the turntable.
26921 in October 2024 after turning
The overhaul is being carried out by Bridgnorth volunteers with funding assistance from the SVR Charitable Trust.[12]
At the start of 2023 LNWR 76738 (fictitious) 4-Wheel Tranship Van replaced 26921 as the L.M.S. & B.R. Coach Department Sales Coach.
See also[edit | edit source]
Notes[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Jenkinson & Essery (1977) p. 110.
- ↑ Longworth (2019) p.310.
- ↑ SVR News 10
- ↑ SVR News 10, October 1968, New Coaches
- ↑ SVR Stock Book second and third editions(1970-71)
- ↑ SVR Stock Books fourth to 9th Editions
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Branch Lines, October 2021
- ↑ SVR News 56
- ↑ Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Branch Lines, February 2023
- ↑ SVR News 189, 192
- ↑ Branch Lines, February 2024
Links[edit | edit source]
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