GWS acquires Broad Gauge Convertible carriage
DIDCOT Railway Centre took delivery of 1887-built GWR Broad Gauge Convertible carriage No. 820 on May 7.
To meet an immediate need for more broad gauge stock, while ensuring that the coach bodies could be reused when the broad gauge was finally abolished in 1892, the body was designed to fit within the standard loading gauge and to be mounted on a standard gauge underframe, but originally entered service on a broad gauge underframe.
Originally built as a ‘Tricomposite’ vehicle having first, second and third class compartments, the second class compartment was downgraded to third in about 1907. Withdrawn from passenger service in the 1930s to become a Camp Coach, it entered departmental service around 1952 with the number W9962W.
The interior retains 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 coalfired cooking range.
Originally preserved by
Bristol Museums Service, it made several visits to Swindon Museum and to the National Railway Museum (NRM) at York, before ending up at Locomotion, the NRM’s depot in Shildon.
The Great Western Society at Didcot successfully bid for
No. 820 after it was offered for disposal by the National Collection last year.
The coach was transported by road from Shildon to Didcot West Yard and by rail the short distance to Didcot Railway Centre.
The long term aim is to restore the carriage to operational use in the condition it would have been at the point of changeover, adding to the centre’s small fleet of Victorian carriages.