News Bites

In December the transfer was completed of Brake Composite
No.24068, TTO No.43600 and Pigeon Brake Van No.70759 from the
LNER (SVR) Coach Fund to the SVR Rolling Stock Trust Co Ltd. This
is with a view to securing the long term future of these vehicles on the
Railway and opening new tax-efficient Gift-Aid donations towards
current LNER projects (see above).

The new ownership will be recognised by specially designed owner’s
plates to be affixed to each of the transferred vehicles.

New owner for some of the set.

* * * TWO LNER PROJECTS NEED YOUR HELP * * *

The good news is that this formerly privately owned carriage will not now be leaving the SVR. This had been a
risk, as another heritage railway was interested. Thanks to the efforts of the SVR Rolling Stock Trust Company
and the generosity of several individuals, 52255 has now been bought by the Trust. But this has only been done
by the Trust providing substantive temporary funding to secure the deal. Further donations are therefore still
needed to offset this. Such donations can be gift aided, and for a Gift Aid form Click here. Cheques, payable to
SVR Rolling Stock Trust Co Ltd, and gift aid forms should go to the Trust’s Secretary, Stewart Clark, at - 47
Talfourd Road, London. SE15 5NN, marking the envelope ‘52255’.

1. TTO 43600: Planning and fund-raising are progressing for the interior upgrade project.
 
2. TTO 52255: With this vehicle now securely in the ownership of the SVR Rolling Stock Trust Company, work
has already begun on the interior improvements. The Trust has fitted new coat hooks to fill the gaps, and work is
starting on preparing the luggage rack brackets. There remain two funding needs. First the Trust Company needs
to replenish its finances used to secure purchase of the carriage. So an especially good response is needed to
the current SVRA "Keeping it in the Family" raffle. Tickets are available from the Bewdley Station Shop and from
the promoter (Mr J Bond, 4 Greenacre Drive, Codsall, Wolverhampton WY8 2JA). Further tickets can also be
obtained at Arley Station. Secondly, we always welcome sponsors for the coat hooks, luggage rack brackets and
mirrors for 52255. Further information and a sponsorship form are available by emailing to gresley@gotadsl.co.uk
 
3. Pigeon Van 70759/70442: Much progress is being made at the LNER group's Bewdley base. Work is
concentrating on the repair and fettling of the newly acquired underframe from Pigeon Van 70442. This 1941-built
ex-LNER Pigeon Van 70442 frame is generally in good order, and the work done or nearing completion includes:
a. Construction and fitting of a refurbished battery cupboard from 70759.
b. Fitting the electrical Regulator Box.
c. Fitting a newly-fabricated dynamo hanging bracket.
d. Overhaul and refitting the buffers and buffing gear.
e. Fitting a new vacuum brake pipe and a new steam heat pipe, with all the requisite junction points to the
   passenger and guard compartments. The steam-heat pipe required much ingenuity and patience as it follows a
    particularly tortuous route under the carriage to avoid the multiple obstacles of the frame members, bogies and
   wheels.
f. Frame repairs including welding-in some new steel to maintain the frame's integrity and deal with a few areas of
  corrosion. Some straightening of the headstocks has also been needed to repair the effects of a rough shunt at
  some time in 70442's history.
g.General derusting and painting the frame, taking advantage of the absence of the body to do a thorough job on
  those parts of the frame not normally accessible and to make the frame ready for the next stages.
4. Bewdley Station Shop: New stock includes a number of Dapol kits, dolls  house items and some novelty cake
candles. Additional handrails have been fitted at the shop entry doorway to assist access for less-able customers.
Also obtainable are books of the "Keeping it in the Family" SVRA Raffle to assist the Rolling Stock Trust's funding
of 52255's purchase. Please give the raffle as much support as you can, as the Trust's purchase, while depleting
their resources, has ensured that this carriage did not leave the SVR.

12th July the body of ex-LNER Pigeon Van 70759 was moved from its original heavily corroded underframe. The
body was rolled onto a recently acquired underframe refurbished by the group. The transfer, a 'first' on the SVR,
was achieved in little over three hours to within a quarter inch accuracy.

23rd August 70759 Body was finally bedded on to the underframes with sealant to keep water out and bolted down.

3rd December 70759 Short Van end received a new floor due to the
original floor boards having become home to  woodworm in the past.