As part of the Fund’s exciting vision for the future, we are grasping the spectacular opportunity to recreate with historic original materials both a Great Western Railway 1930's MEX design cattle wagon ( currently none in preservation ) and also the late Great Western OXFIT design as built by British Railways.
All surviving Swindon built railway cattle wagons are considered rare ( many thousands in service in the 1950s , hardly a handful survive today) but we expect to fill the evolutionary gap and uniquely be the custodians of two illustrating the wagons design development over a thirty year period. These are not new builds or replicas but comprise substantial and genuine cattle wagon components and where elements are missing, great care will be taken to recreate those parts and assemblies appropriately.
This appeal is for phase 1 which comprises the transportation of appropriate RCH chassis components but time is short as the location requires removal within days. If we are successful the basis of the under frame would be transported to a storage location where our original GWR body is located. The location also includes other original components that form part of the recreation jigsaw. Phase 1 also includes the transportation of our genuine BR(W) cattle wagon chassis together with our recently donated BR(W) cattle wagon body to an engineering facility for initial works to take place.
Phase 1 has an estimated cost in region of £3500.00 to enable this one off opportunity to commence. The trustees acknowledge the kind generosity and support provided by the Anderson Family, Nigel Facer, Sue Jennings, West Somerset Railway Engineering & Vic Haines Transport.
Photograph: Chassis for the BRW Cattle Wagon Body.
GWR 813 Preservation Fund. Charity Number: 1196114