GWR 93045 Mink 'A' Covered Goods Van
| GWRGreat Western Railway 93045 MinkGWR telegraphic code signifying a covered goods van 'A' Covered Goods Van | |
|---|---|
 GWRGreat Western Railway 93045 MinkGWR telegraphic code signifying a covered goods van 'A' Covered Goods Van (2016) | |
| Built By | GWRGreat Western Railway Swindon |
| Status | Operational |
| Number | 93045 |
| Other Numbers | I/U 064722 |
| History | |
| Built | 1914 |
| Diagram | V16 |
| Lot | 742 |
| Type | 4-w ventilated van |
| Capacity | 10 tons |
| Telegraphic code | MINK A |
| Brakes | DCIII |
| 1990 | Preserved at Gloucester |
| 2008 | Arrived on the SVRSevern Valley Railway |
Contents
Service
90345 was built in 1914 to Diagram V16, Lot 742, 93045 was one of 2,260 10-ton MINK A goods vans built to that diagram. As built, Diagram V16 was non-vac fitted, with DCIII brakes, GWRGreat Western Railway self-contained buffers, and bonnets (rather than shutters or louvres) covering the end ventilators. It had a 9ft wheelbase.[2]
While in BRBritish Rail or British Railways service, it was overhauled at Swindon in July 1956 and had its axlebox oil pads checked in 1960. During the latter part of its life, one of its four original doors was replaced with a plywood fitting and it was also allocated the BRBritish Rail or British Railways Internal UserRolling stock used for the railway’s internal purposes (stores etc.) at one fixed location. number 064722. It was not recorded when it moved to its last home in Gloucester, although it spent many years parked in a siding opposite the old Gloucester Foundry. It was last pictured on BRBritish Rail or British Railways metals at Gloucester Rail Day in 1990[3].
Preservation
93045 moved to the National Waterways Museum in Gloucester in July 1990, having been acquired for preservation by Mr Chris Perkins. Within a year of arrival it had received new doors and sides and new planking between the ventilators; it had also been repainted.[3]
The Museum was also home to a collection of four other box vans which were displayed around the quayside along with 93045. In 2008 the Friends of the Museum decided to open up the space around the quayside and their four vans were moved to new homes, while Chris Perkins was given notice to remove 93045. It was offered for sale to the The GWR 813 Preservation Fund.[3]
An inspection at Gloucester found that the wagon was in good condition, and it was moved to the SVRSevern Valley Railway on 31 August 2008. By coincidence, at the same time that 93045 was offered to the GWRGreat Western Railway 813 Preservation Fund, their sister wagon 93016 was undergoing a repair and repaint at Bewdley. By the following July a couple of 93045's floor planks had been replaced using timber provided with the vehicle, and although it was in good condition, it also received a quick repaint to match newly completed 93016.[4][5]
Since arrival, 93045 has regularly appeared in the Demonstration Goods Train. In 2010 a day needed to be spent tidying up after a 'heavy shunt' during the gala resulted in its contents being "turned through 90 degrees".[6] Other appearances included 2013 (pictured below), 2015, 2016 (main picture above) and 2018 (pictured below).
93045 in April 2013
The 2018 demonstration goods train (92045 is behind the white 'MICA B')
During 2022 93045 was moved into Bewdley Goods Shed where it underwent minor body repairs and received a repaint.[7] These were completed in March 2023,[8] after which it again featured in the Demonstration Goods Train.
See also
References
- ↑ Atkins, Beard & Tourret (2013) p. 12.
- ↑ Atkins, Beard & Tourret (2013) pp. 34, 379.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Gloucestershire Transport History
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 175
- ↑ National Preservation Forum, SVR Wagons 2009
- ↑ National Preservation Forum, SVR Wagons 2010
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 223
- ↑ National Preservation Forum, SVR Wagons 2023
