Grey is proving the way
Civil engineers’ grey is the livery of choice for wagons currently under restoration at the Colne Valley Railway.
VOLUNTEERS at the Colne Valley Railway (CVR) are progressing the restoration of two wagons and a brake van under the leadership of Oliver Simons, head of wagons.
Mr Simons, who started volunteering at the CVR earlier this year, told The RM: “I have always had an interest in wagons. I was attracted to the CVR as a friend I was at college with owns a diesel loco there. I had heard that there was an aspiration for the railway to have a demonstration freight train.”
Mr Simons said he bought BR 20T brake van No. B952212 for a “reasonable sum” and is restoring it for use on the CVR.
It is to be finished in BR civil engineers’ grey with a yellow strip – the last livery it carried prior to withdrawal from main line service.
Currently through vacuum piped, it is planned to make it dual-braked. With that in mind, air braking equipment has been obtained from a
Mk. 2 coach.
The most recent step has been to get it over a pit. Brake gear has been stripped into component form, refurbished and new parts made as required.
A start has been made on needle gunning the solebars, the running boards have been replaced and the roof is now watertight. New duckets have been manufactured and await installation. External cladding is to be renewed – the interior will be tackled last.
Mr Simons has also purchased a four-wheeled box van – this time from the CVR based British Enginemen Steam Preservation Society, owner of SR ‘Merchant Navy’ No. 35018 Blue Star. While it was built for the GER, its original identity is unknown – the van having latterly worked at RNAD Bedenham.
Structurally sound, it is in need of cosmetic attention.
It is planned to add vacuum and air brake piping – and it is hoped to refit the vents on the ends it carried when in GER service.
The most recent acquisition is LMS tube wagon No. M499852, which Mr Simons owns jointly with Charles Ayder, CVR diesel manager. Stripped of woodwork, the chassis is to be sandblasted prior to the fitment of wooden body and painting into grey. Seating is to be added to enable passengers to be carried, offering a different experience for visitors.
Mr Simons has recorded some of his exploits and published them on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/wardleroad