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The Swindon & Cricklade Railway's Vintage Train Project Luggage Brake No 422 |
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| The Dilemma |
The Luggage Brake project takes its place amongst the 'new builds' and conversions becoming common on Heritage Railways. A couple of years ago, it became clear that the completion of Taff Vale No 73 was drawing near. A great deal of time and money had already been invested in its restoration, and it became obvious that recovering some of this from revenue was highly desirable. However, as a single, four-wheel, vintage carriage with no guard's facilities, it would not provide a viable passenger train. Even less attractive was the option of running it (or 'hiding it behind') a Mk 1 brake coach. On the other hand, there was no possibility of a vintage brake carriage becoming available within the foreseeable future. |
 The sketch that launched the project.  Both duckets in place and windows glazed.  This shows the passenger-stock standards being used on the interior - this is the now-enclosed veranda. |
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| A Solution |
Out of this dilemma arose the solution of converting an otherwise unused vehicle that had started life as a goods brake van. This offered a number of benefits. (1) Conversion would be relatively inexpensive. (2) The conversion could include the ability to accommodate wheelchairs, giving wider access to the railway's Vintage Train. (3) Most significantly, it would be available with the completed Taff Vale No 73. The conversion is intended to convey the spirit of a 19th centuary vehicle once common on smaller railways. The style is that of builders of the time, such as Ashbury's, thereby in keeping with the lines of Taff Vale No 73. As well as disabled access, the vehicle will offer an interpretation of the range of traffic carried on rural railway backwaters before Grouping. Progress as at December 2011 External work is virtually complete and the body in undercoat. Work is now concentrating on internal fitting out, with many components being made off-site. Progress as at March 2012 Internal work has begun, starting with the now-enclosed veranda. |
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main page |
Project main page |
Cambrian No 110 |
Toplight No 7545 |
N London No 111 |
Taff Vale No 73 |
Brake No 422 |
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