Van out, van in
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway team progress projects at Winchcombe.
VOLUNTEERS at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway’s Carriage & Wagon Department were delighted to see their hard work pay off when GWR Mink A No. 124589 was outshopped on February 26 after a total rebuild and overhaul. As previously reported, the van is privately owned by Andrew Goodman who funded all restoration materials.
The current project is GWR Toad brake van No. 17392, which is also owned by Mr Goodman and requires full restoration. When in use at special events in the past, it was felt the van did not offer as smooth a ride as it should. Scrap metal ballast was poorly distributed and was adversely affecting the suspension, while the floor was beginning to corrode. It will be addressed by filling the troughs with concrete and balancing equal weight to the side bins.
In addition to new metal sides, timbers and a cabin floor, the van will require a new roof.
Attention has also turned to 1939-built gunpower van
No. 5256 (which carries the fictitious number 105560) to enable it to be operated during the June 3-5 Cotswold Festival of Steam gala. One side was restored in 2021, but efforts are now focused on bringing up the other side and both ends to the same condition, along with the usual mechanical exams.