Until last year a familiar feature of Middle Engine Lane was the LNER 70754 Gresley Passenger Brake (Pigeon Van).
Built in 1943, the van both a brake van and a pigeon van. It was designed to run in passenger trains, but most of the van was fitted with racks for pigeon baskets. These were taken to a remote station or siding, where a railway employee would release the birds at the specified time, and starting the race. The design is that of a full brake but fitted with the extra racking for the pigeon baskets.
The van was placed in departmental use for a number of years and was eventually recovered from Heaton depot in a derelict state. 70754 had seen previous restoration attempts. However, the ravages of weather and vandals had seen the vehicle deteriorate. It was recently transferred to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and restored by their Carriage & Wagon department (via the team at Wirksworth). The stunningly restored van has now arrived at the NYMR and will move to Goathland as an education vehicle.
Photo credits:
Kieran Murray
No comments:
Post a Comment