Last month the WSRA reached agreement with the Pontypool and Blaenavon Heritage Railway to loan the Hawksworth designed inspection saloon to them for a period of 3 years. Unfortunately departure was delayed due to a number of factors related to the recent storms but earlier this week the saloon finally departed from Williton bound for Pontypool.
The journey was uneventful and the saloon arrived safe and sound and is now enjoying the benefits of an undercover home. The Pontypool volunteers will be looking after the saloon for us and doing some much needed maintenance work.
GWR W80976W Inspection Saloon
- Designed by Frederick Hawksworth – the last GWR CME
- Diagram no Q13, Lot no 1701,
- Constructed in Swindon under BR in 1948
- 1949 first used on the Minehead branch line
- 2011 purchased by WSRA
- 2012 underwent extensive restoration before returning to West Somerset Railway
- Still with the original underframe and bogies/wheelsets
BR (W) chocolate and cream livery
Image © Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway
Hawksworth Saloon leaving Williton Image © Ryan Pope
Image © Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway