Operational Coaching Stock on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
May 2005 (click here for quick link to current schedule)

It was in the early 1980’s that the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway began acquiring passenger coaches for eventual use on the railway then in the course of reconstruction. Apart from Departmental vehicles and occasional pre-nationalisation long term restoration projects, the first two B R Mark 1 coaches to be acquired were two Restaurant Miniature Buffets (designated RMB); 1808 and 1811.

It was decided at a very early stage that the railway would concentrate upon the acquisition of ex-BR Mark 1 coaches for two reasons. Firstly, they were readily available as they were then in the process of being withdrawn in large numbers by BR. Secondly, it was anticipated that they could be restored to operational use fairly quickly.

It has proved to be a very wise decision. The initial passenger trains which ran in 1986 included Corridor Second (designated SK) 25020, which was allegedly painted Chocolate & Cream on one side only. The other side could not be seen by passengers.

Subsequent to that, a large number and variety of coaches have been acquired in various states of repair (or disrepair). The initial work on the coaches was done at Toddington, in the open air. If the bodyside could not be reached from ground level, a ladder was used against the side.

In 1989, the Carriage & Wagons works at Winchcombe were opened in the old Goods Shed. The first coach to be taken inside and restored there, was BSK 34676. It was followed by 1811. Again, the acquisition and conversion of that building was a far sighted move which has paid substantial dividends. Being able to strip, and then restore a coach under cover has made a dramatic difference to what can be undertaken.

It has also led to a substantial increase in the number of volunteer workers who, being able to work in warm dry conditions are encouraged to take part in the restoration activity.

Over the subsequent 15 years a total of 26 Mk 1 coaches have been restored to operational condition. As services have expanded, so the output of coaches available for use has also increased. There are now virtually three service rakes; each of six coaches, together with the Elegant Excursions dining train rake also of six.

That does not tell the whole story, because most of the coaches have been restored and refurbished at least twice in that period; 34676 three times. A large variety of wagons have also been overhauled and refurbished in the same period.

Click here for a list of all currently operational coaches on the GWR (this is a PDF file). Brief details of their current livery are also given, together with details of bogie type. Where the details are followed by an ‘R’ and a date, that is the date that the coach was last refurbished, and released into traffic.

The intention by the beginning of the 2006 season is to have three full service rakes each of six coaches, in Chocolate & Cream; Carmine & Cream and Maroon. There will in addition be a couple of spare vehicles (including a spare Brake vehicle) to allow for failures, and further refurbishment.

At that stage, attention is going to have to be given to the further refurbishment of some of those that have been running for a number of years and are looking somewhat shabby. Once that has been completed, attention can turn to the creation of a fourth rake, which according to a poll carried out earlier this year should be turned out in Blue & Grey.