Didcot centre takes delivery of National Collection broad gauge coach – via the main line!

THE award-winning Didcot Railway Centre has received 1887-built GWR broad gauge convertible No. 820 after it was declared surplus to the National Collection.

Its body was designed to fit within the standard loading gauge and to be mounted on a standard gauge underframe, but it originally entered service as a broad-gauge vehicle. This course was followed to meet an immediate need for more Brunel broad gauge stock, while ensuring that the coach bodies could be reused when the 7ft 01/4in gauge was finally abolished in 1892.

Originally built as a ‘Tricomposite’ vehicle, having first, second and third class compartments, the second class compartment was downgraded to third in about 1907. It was renumbered 6820 early in the last century.

Withdrawn from passenger service in the 1930s, it first became a camping coach, and around 1952 became a Departmental vehicle, numbered W9962W. The interior still has the camp coach layout, with each of the third class compartments having two longitudinal single beds.

The second class and luggage compartment have had the dividing wall removed to make a single dining and living room, and the first class compartment has become a kitchen with sink and a coal-fired cooking range.

There is still evidence of class demarcation on the ceilings, with third class being planked, while first and second class have mouldings, being slightly more elaborate in first class.

Originally preserved by Bristol Museums Service, No. 820 made several visits to Swindon Museum and to the National Railway Museum at York before ending up at Locomotion museum at Shildon.

The Science Museum Group, including the NRM, thins out its collection from time to time by offering certain exhibits to other accredited museums. No. 820 was offered for relocation last year. Following a successful bid, ownership was transferred to the Great Western Society at Didcot.

The vehicle was transported by road from Shildon to Didcot West Yard and, once the necessary checks had been made, moved by rail the short distance over the national network to Didcot Railway Centre on May 7.

The society’s long-term aim is to restore the carriage to operational use in the condition it would have been at the point of gauge changeover, adding it to Didcot’s small fleet of Victorian carriages.

DIDCOT RAILWAY CENTRE In the move of No. 820 from Didcot West Yard on May 7, the two third class compartments can be seen at each end; the second compartment from the left is the first class one and the second compartment from the right is second class. The two doors in the centre give access to the luggage compartment. The subtle difference in width of the panels between the windows denotes the classes, with first class getting wider panels to give more legroom in the compartment, second class getting slightly less legroom, and third class least of all.

DIDCOT RAILWAY CENTRE Left: Visiting locomotives and exhibits moved to Didcot Railway Centre make the short journey across the national rail network from Didcot West Yard, so here we see a modern-day consist on the national network including a broad gauge coach body!