History of LNER Brake Pigeon Van No 70759
In December 2004, the LNER (SVR) Coach Fund purchased BGP No 70759 from the South Devon Railway and
moved it to the SVR over 17th & 18th March. The Fund's Trustees had been told of its availability during the previous
summer, when a passing member of SDR staff told some visiting SVR members that "It's for sale you know".
Because it was almost complete, and in much better than average condition this was interesting, and sparked some
thought and discussion as to how such a vehicle could be of use to the SVR. It is a gangwayed bogie carriage of
standard Gresley outline and to full passenger specification, with a long van occupying slightly over half the length of
the carriage, a Guard's brake compartment and shorter van. There appeared to be enough options to more than fully
use it for a few years at Bewdley. Another, more radical long-term use was also suggested (see below), and it was
decided to purchase 70759 then to consider the matter further.
Some research into its history revealed that 70759 was built at York in 1943 (as part of a batch ordered in 1941) to
Diagram 245. Fitted with hinged drop down shelves, it could be used for conveying baskets of racing pigeons to
their point of release (big business for the railways until 1966) as well as for general parcels traffic.
moved it to the SVR over 17th & 18th March. The Fund's Trustees had been told of its availability during the previous
summer, when a passing member of SDR staff told some visiting SVR members that "It's for sale you know".
Because it was almost complete, and in much better than average condition this was interesting, and sparked some
thought and discussion as to how such a vehicle could be of use to the SVR. It is a gangwayed bogie carriage of
standard Gresley outline and to full passenger specification, with a long van occupying slightly over half the length of
the carriage, a Guard's brake compartment and shorter van. There appeared to be enough options to more than fully
use it for a few years at Bewdley. Another, more radical long-term use was also suggested (see below), and it was
decided to purchase 70759 then to consider the matter further.
Some research into its history revealed that 70759 was built at York in 1943 (as part of a batch ordered in 1941) to
Diagram 245. Fitted with hinged drop down shelves, it could be used for conveying baskets of racing pigeons to
their point of release (big business for the railways until 1966) as well as for general parcels traffic.
Pigeon Van train at Coatbridge, Scotland, in 1964.
The third vehicle is a Thompson ex-LNER coach.
The third vehicle is a Thompson ex-LNER coach.
Withdrawn by British Rail, it was purchased by book publisher David & Charles who used it as a store, and it became
a familiar sight from trains on the main line at Newton Abbot.
a familiar sight from trains on the main line at Newton Abbot.
70759 at Newton Abbot
In 1991 it was donated to the South Devon Railway, who found a similar use for it at Buckfastleigh.
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