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This
historic vehicle is currently being restored under the management of Locomotive 5542 Ltd
G.W.R.
Autotrailer 169 and Prairie Tank 5542
The restoration of Great
Western Railway Autotrailer No 169 is underway, we invite you to become a 'Founder
Member' of this exciting restoration project associated with the West
Somerset Railway. (See below)
November. Progress continues slowly. We are currently making formers for the router to slide along with the special bit used for rounding the edges of the window frames. This involves having the appropriate panel laid down, strapped up then some screws put in to keep it square and as a result the operative can work with the router with the machine the correct way up and employing the use of gravity . Work also continues on the cant rails.
September /October.
A successful autumn gala stall raised much needed cash and as the
stall was next to the coach in Williton shed this provided a focus Interested
persons were able to go inside 169 to
inspect the unrestored interior.
Progress is slow but steady and we continue the making mortises on the
second sole plate section together with the sloped halving joints to hold one
piece of sole bar to the next. The
rubbing down of partitions continues.169 remains back inside the shed thank
goodness.
August 2008. The
Rally stall was a big success despite the uncertain weather. Cups of teas with fresh milk (as
opposed to UHT) were certainly in demand.
We were again the only loco owning group on site. Ongoing
jobs continue on the auto trailer including preparing and painting interior
roof vent fittings and continuation of making mortises on the second sole plate
section. 169 is now at last back inside
the shed.
Jun/July 2008. The
evening fish and chip special on the GWSR was a success but not without a
degree of concern that the fish and chips were actually going to turn up at
Cheltenham Racecourse station. They
eventually did with a police escort!
Work on our box van B752355 had been completed with
the fitting of new seals on the vacuum cylinder. On testing with the 03 shunter the vacuum was maintained first
time. This vehicle is currently
awaiting a ‘fitness to run’ inspection and then will join the heritage freight
train. Ongoing jobs continue on the
auto trailer including making mortises on the second sole plate section.
April/May 2008. We are doing really well on the box van B752355 and it looks smart in a new coat of bauxite. The brake cylinder has been dismantled and found to be in good order after all these years; of course the rubbers and diaphragm need replacing and then it needs to be put back in place, maybe this will take less time than we spent getting it down? Then someone asked if we could sheet a coach at Minehead….. So some progress on 169 but more will be made when all our attention can be focussed on it.
January/February/March 2008. Progress has been made on the box van with the renewal of 2 sets of doors nearing completion. We spread ourselves thin with work continuing on 5542. News on 169; The cant rails have received further attention and much trial and error fitting and refitting has taken place. A driver’s door is looking like nearing completion. The first seating partitions have been refurbished and fitted. We will have a stall to support fund raising for 169 at the Spring Gala in the Swindon Shed at Williton, so see you there!
Regular work on 169 usually takes
place on Saturdays and Wednesdays at the Williton shed. All help is most
welcome, and should you like to assist with our project please come along from
about 10am. If you are travelling any
distance, or it is you first visit please e-mail 2-3 days beforehand
to confirm details. The work site is not open to the public so any visits must
be by prior arrangement.
The following information for regular working
party members only PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE ANY PARTS WITHOUT AUTHORISATION. Jobs to be designated are making new top
light and drop light frames. We need to
work out how many of each of the 2 sizes we need. Shot-blasting of frames need to be done. Ask about woodworking jobs on Saturdays; we
are currently working on body frame sections and the cab. We need interior door handles (4 more) and
one more exterior door handle. We need
a handbrake column and wheel.
Whilst we are aware that
the project to rebuild 169 is no small task, we are confident that we can
source the necessary skills, funds and manpower to ensure a successful outcome.
We are keen to hear from anyone who wishes to assist the project in any way.
Founder members:
All financial support is most welcome and a Founder Members program is offered at 3 levels of contribution,
· Gold £500 · Silver £250 · Bronze
£125
Contributions
can be outright or by Standing Order 
from
just £4 per month. Other donations of funds or articles
for resale are welcome.
All donations of £20 or more will receive
a 'Certificate of Thanks' and become a
'Friend of 169'. For further details of this exciting project please E-Mail for more information. We have already sourced a number of missing
parts and received an excellent initial response to the idea.
PLEASE SUPPORT
THIS PROJECT TO RESTORE AN HISTORIC G.W.R. CARRIAGE FOR REGULAR USE ON THE
W.S.R.
Sponsorship:
We are looking for sponsors. We have a
sponsor for window glass, would you or your company like to sponsor part of an
historic railway coach? We need a
supply of oak for repairs to the framework.
We need screws by the hundred; We need hardboard, panelling, flooring,
light fittings, seats and upholstery.
Can you help?
Built Swindon Diagram
A27 Lot 1349 delivered January 1929.
59 ft 6 in
over body ends
12 ft. 3 in.
Rail to roof
Bogies Collett
7 ft wheelbase heavy duty
Seats 72 (
including 8 emergency ones in luggage compartment).
Repainted
cream, brown and gold livery Sept 1931
Handles
altered corner pillars cut back Dec 1932
End windows
painted black Feb 1935
ATC fitted
(date not known?)
All brown
livery with orange stripe by 1943 until at least 1948.
End window
plated over after 1948.Ran regularly with trailer 170.
Worked regularly
from the following locations; Merthyr, Aberdare, Cardiff, Nelson, Caerphilly,
and Gloucester.
Cond. Nov 1961
To service
stock as no. 064749 Dec 1961 Gloucester loco.
Cond. (
again!) by 1982.
Further
dimensions;
Drivers
compartment 3 ft. 9 in, deep
Smoking saloon
33 ft. 5 in.
Passengers
vestibule 3 ft. 9 in. sliding door to sliding door.
Non smoking
saloon 10 ft. 11 ½ in. long.
Luggage
compartment 6ft, 6 ¾ in. deep.
Sister Trailer 178 at Crowcombe 16th April 2005
