‘Access for all' GWR buffet coach is making progress at Severn Valley

WITH the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, work to convert a GWR coach into a fully accessible buffet is progressing at the Severn Valley Railway.

The 1928-built coach, originally Collett bow-ended Corridor Third No. 5043, is being rebuilt as a 1930s-style Art Deco buffet with a passenger saloon accessible for wheelchairs. The project is funded by the SVR Charitable Trust and is being undertaken by the LNER Coach Fund.

The vehicle is being restored from a gutted shell, having ended its BR career by being converted to a mess coach for the Swindon breakdown train in about 1960. It has been given the new identity of No. 9581 after a GWR Diagram H33 composite dining car.

Its floor structure has been completed, along with the underframe wiring, the communication valve and its pipework.

A disabled access toilet is under construction, and the corridor connection framework was recently fitted for the first time since its mess van conversion.

RICHARD GUNNING/SVR No. 9581 being tested with a ramp on the low-level Platform 3 at Bewdley station while waiting to go to the Kidderminster turntable for turning.