THE SEVERN Valley Railway has introduced a new accessible buffet car and saloon to ensure everyone, regardless of their ability, can enjoy a ride back into history.
The GWR 9581 was officially unveiled last Thursday and the SVR hopes it will inspire other coach operators in the heritage sector to follow suit.
Picture by John Oates. s
The restoration of the coach was funded by the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust.
The trust’s chair Judith Meredith said: “This is a perfect example of blending modern-day needs with heritage authenticity and the trust is very pleased to have played its part in providing a coach that meets the needs of more passengers.
“It has been finished to the Severn Valley’s very high coachwork standards, using the skills and ingenuity of many hands over the years.
“We know this beautifully designed coach is going to give a wonderful experience to all those who use it.”
Elaine Herington prepares to board the accessible buffet and saloon car, with husband Richard. Picture by John Oates. s
She thanked the many people and organisations who had donated time and money to the project.
Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, the SVR’s managing director, added: “This superb accessible buffet and saloon car further boosts the SVR’s already impressive range of accessible coaches.
“For some time now, we’ve been working towards running every service with accommodation for wheelchair and mobility aid users and the conversion of 9581 takes us much closer to this being achieved.
“We are so grateful to every single team member who has given their time and skills to complete this groundbreaking project, and to the SVR Charitable Trust for funding the costs of the restoration.
“GWR 9581 has been eight long years in the making and we hope it will set a new benchmark – not just for the SVR, but for heritage railways everywhere.”
Picture by John Oates. s
The history
The coach was built in 1928 to a Great Western bow-ended design and originally numbered 5043.
For its first 30 years it was a run-of-the-mill third-class compartment coach with a corridor down one side.
It was then converted into a mess coach and workshop for many years before being withdrawn.
Bought in 1981 by the SVR-based 2587 Society, it was used as a base for the restoration of their locomotive, until it was no longer needed.
After ownership was transferred to SVR (Holdings) Plc, the coach became the foundation of an ambitious project to create a wheelchair-accessible saloon and buffet car.
It was decided to base the new accessible coach on a more suitable historic design – the Swindon diagram H33 bow-ended diner.
Picture by John Oates. s
This came with two passenger saloons and a central kitchen with double doors. It was renumbered as GWR 9581, a member of the class that was scrapped long ago.
The restoration was led by the SVR’s LNER Carriage Group, with volunteer Richard Gunning at the helm.
He said: “We didn’t just want to re-build it as an accessible coach – we wanted to make it authentically appealing, practical, and welcoming.”
Work began in 2017 at Bewdley and, due to extensive rot, new bodysides were built, based on the Swindon diagram H33 diner design.
Picture by John Oates. s
Original features were combined with modern adaptations, such as the GWR art deco-styled bar which features new a low-level section for wheelchair access and the fully accessible toilet with outward-opening doors for maximum passenger safety, also finished in GWR decor.
The carriage features two main areas – a buffet bar and a saloon, both with integrated wheelchair spaces. It is heated by steam pipes concealed behind refurbished original GWR covers.
Another volunteer, Simon Marshall, said: “We were amazed to discover these original covers hidden away in our store of ‘things that might come in useful one day’.
“They complement the decor perfectly. The buffet bar itself was inspired by the GWR ‘Quick Lunch Bar’ concept.”
Despite delays, including the pandemic and unexpected repairs, the coach made its debut last Thursday at the SVR’s Autumn Steam Gala.
