LNWR 76738 (fictitious) 4-Wheel Tranship Van
| LNWRLondon & North Western Railway 76738 (fictitious) 4-Wheel Tranship Van | |
|---|---|
 LNWRLondon & North Western Railway 76738 at Bridgnorth in April 2023 | |
| Built By | LNWRLondon & North Western Railway Wolverton |
| Status | Cosmetically restored |
| Number | 76738 (fictitious) |
| Other Numbers | RNADRoyal Naval Armaments Depot 338 |
| History | |
| Built | 1910-1923 |
| Diagram | 88 |
| Type | 'Tranship' 4-w non-ventilated van |
| Capacity | 10 tons |
| 1993 | Arrived on SVRSevern Valley Railway |
| 2007 | Cosmetic restoration |
Contents
Service
Many of these vans were supplied new to the War Department just after the First World War and this wagon certainly ended life in military service, although while being sanded for cosmetic restoration in 2007 (see below), a number reading either 86059 or 86359 was revealed, suggesting possible use by the LNWRLondon & North Western Railway first.[2]
Preservation
The van arrived on the SVRSevern Valley Railway on 22 November 1993 from RNADRoyal Naval Armaments Depot Bedenham, Gosport where it had been in use by the Royal Navy numbered RNADRoyal Naval Armaments Depot 338.[1] It was originally intended for display but when restored at Bewdley in 1995, it was found to be in good condition and considered suitable for operational use. At some time during service the side doors had been modified from the original design. Despite this modification, it was repainted in LNWRLondon & North Western Railway livery and given the fictitious number '76738'.[3][2] Following this restoration, the 1999 SVRSevern Valley Railway stock noted it as being owned by Pat Goss and having been used in demonstration freight trains.[1]
In early 2007 '76738' was one of three wagons selected for cosmetic restoration at Kidderminster Carriage Works prior to exhibition in The Engine House, the others being LNER Mineral Wagon 223162 and LMS brake van 760866. By that time 76738 was ‘on the brink of terminal collapse’. The body was affected by rot and fungus and required considerable work before painting. A buffer beam fitted by the Navy was found to have been made of plywood, and was replaced with a more suitable one made of Iroko.[2]
‘76738’ duly took its place on display when The Engine House eventually opened in 2008. The Railway Heritage Register Wagon Survey includes a photograph of the van on display in The Engine House in 2010. It was removed from there during a re-organisation in April 2012.[4] Although restored to serviceable condition, the van's age and wooden underframe make it unsuitable for use in the Demonstration Goods Train. It spent some years stored out of sight in Kidderminster Carriage Shed but was visible outside Kidderminster Carriage Works during late summer 2016.
LNWRLondon & North Western Railway 76738 at Kidderminster in July 2016
In April 2023 '76738' was repurposed as the LMS & BR Coach Dept sales coach at Bridgnorth.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 SVRSevern Valley Railway Stock Book Ninth Edition
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 SVRSevern Valley Railway News 158
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 114, 117
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 179
