SR 25 ton Bogie Brakevan 56300
Above:
SR bogie brakevan KDS56300 at Croes Newydd, Wrexham, after fire damage
This large vehicle has an interesting pedigree, the design originating from the conversion of some redundant Southern electric driving motor cars into bogie brakes in the early 1930s. Their smooth riding qualities led to the purpose-building of several more, 56300 being constructed at Ashford in 1936 to diagram 1550. These same qualities endeared the vans to various engineering departments, and they all enjoyed a long life as service vehicles, some still being still in use onthe mainline today. But as KDS56300, this particular van was not so fortunate, for while stored in a siding at Watery Lane Goods Depot, Croes Newydd, Wrexham it was set on fire by travellers camped in the yard, and almost entirely burned out. A Foxfield member stepped in to save the remains and after long negotiations 56300 was removed to Foxfield just before housing developers moved onto the site. Parts are being acquired for rebuilding the bodywork, and Foxfield goods guards look forward to experiencing the comfort of 56300 in a few years time, but it is unlikely it will ever reach the 75mph maximum speed for which it was designed!
Some SR bogie brakevans are still
in use on the national rail network, and several have been preserved, including
56290 under restoration on the Bluebell Railway - for details see http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pics/56290.html