New home for HAA
Merry-go-round coal wagon departs Barry Tourist Railway.
THE National Wagon Preservation Group (NWPG) has acquired its ninth MGR (Merry-Go-Round) coal hopper – HAA No. 351500 from the Barry Tourist Railway.
Although it is expected to join other members of the NWPG fleet at the Chasewater Railway in due course, it is currently being restored at the Midland Railway-Butterley.
John Buxton, former owner of No. 351500 said: “I am sad to see this wagon go as I worked for BR in South Wales for many years and I have an affinity with these air-braked vehicles. It was to be a special personal ‘retirement project’.
“However, as Transport for Wales (TfW) has taken ownership of Barry depot site with the intention of bringing the facility back into main line use, I can no longer keep it.
“I am glad that my wagon will increase the already sizeable rake of HAAs owned by NWPG, so that the sight and sound of a BR coal ‘block train’ can be re-created.”
William Snook, co-chairman of the NWPG said: “Although it leaves its much loved home in South Wales, we have made an immediate start on returning No. 351500 to its former glory.”
NWPG volunteers will continue to work on removing the graffiti prior to repainting it in Railfreight red. It is then planned to focus on the group’s two other recent acquisitions – No. 351204 (ex-Fire Service
College, Moreton-in-Marsh) and No. 354456 (ex Doon Valley) for repairs and painting.
Donations to NWPG can be made at www.paypal.me/ nwpguk