New frames for unique GWR glass wagon at Didcot

THE sole surviving GWR Coral A wagon is to receive new frames at Didcot Railway Centre. No. 41723, a four-wheeled well wagon, was built at Swindon in 1908 to carry glass in crates and has been part of the GWR 813 Preservation Fund’s collection since 1981. The Fund believes this is the first time that a standard gauge wagon has had new frames manufactured in railway preservation. Two new frames are to be cut at Steelways in the West Midlands. Delivery to Didcot is expected in June. The wagon will be dismantled and rebuilt under contract at Didcot.