Yorkshire heritage railway completes restoration of 20-ton brake van

Volunteers at the Yorkshire Wolds Railway in East Yorkshires have completed a 5 year project to restore a former British Rail 20-ton brake van.

The volunteers will be celebrating their restoration on Sunday, 17 September at the railway's Fimber Halt. The brake van that has been restored was built in 1961 at Ashford Wagon Works in Kent to the diagram 507 design. It was delivered to the Yorkshire Wolds Railway on 1 August 2018, since when the volunteers have worked outside in all weathers to bring it back in to traffic.

The Yorkshire Wolds Railway operates train services and opens its visitor centre every Sunday until the end of October from 10 am to 4 pm, and the visitor centre is also open at the same time on Wednesdays until the end of October.

Tickets for travel on the railway cost £4.50 and a day pass costs from £8, whilst access to the visitor centre and car parking is free. Visitors should note that all trains run subject to availability.

The railway also welcomes donations, and these can also be made to the railway's website here.

Andy Barwick of the restoration team explained “When the goods brake van arrived, the railway had no wagon shed, so the restoration had to take place outside in the open, under a makeshift weather shelter built from old lorry tarpaulins.

“None of the existing members at the YWR had any previous experience of restoring a railway wagon, so advice was sought from other heritage railway experts, relating to the overhaul of the safety critical components and to obtain engineering drawings.

“The restoration team grew, and a plan was put together in order to ensure that things happened in the correct order. The team which consisted of skilled and unskilled volunteers, was entirely self-managed and work normally took place on a Wednesday. The team worked very well together, and we are very proud of what we have achieved on such a small railway, which started with very little in the way of engineering facilities.”

John Lidster, Charities Director said “all at the YWR should be proud of what has been achieved with the work done and our thanks go to the volunteers and suppliers, and donors that have made it happen. The brake van is a wonderful addition to the YWR fleet, and the ability to stand outside on the veranda to enjoy the now almost ¼ mile ride is one that must be experienced”.

Katy Bowser, Business Development director went on to say “we are so pleased with the result of 5 years hard work that we wanted to put on launch event to celebrate. On the 17 September, we will be open from 10-4 as usual but with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11.30 after which brake van rides will officially start. It's going to be a very exciting day!”