Present Location | South Devon Railway |
County Location | Devon |
Designed For | GWR |
Build Location | Swindon |
Built by | BR |
Diagram number | A38 |
Lot number | 1736 |
Type | Autotrailer |
First Number | 233 |
Later Numbers | W233W; ADW150375 Test Car 1 |
Present Number | W233W KINGFISHER |
Current Livery | BR Maroon |
Gauge | 4ft 8 1/2in |
Wheel Arrangement | 4-w bogies |
Original Underframe | Yes |
Original Bogies/Wheelsets | No |
Additional Notes | Worked on Yatton-Clevedon branch until the end of steam. Later used by BT Research Department as Test Car 1. Some modifications, including provision of a generator compartment, B4 bogies and (later) a toilet. In RTC livery, then BR(W) but by 08/06 repainted into maroon. Was involved with acceptance testing of new freight vehicles on to BR, and later with catenary testing in the Channel Tunnel - was in first train to reach 100 mph in the Tunnel. After withdrawal was on display at the Midland Railway Centre's Matthew Kirtley Museum. To Buckfastleigh, South Devon Railway 07/13 where completion of restoration planned to include providing seating and auto control gear. 08/16: in operational use with auto control gear fitted - in livery applied when used for freight testing.
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Owner | Locomotive 5542 Ltd |
External Structural Condition | Very Good |
Internal Structural Condition | Very Good |
Underframe Condition | Very Good |
External Finish | Very Good |
Internal Finish | Very Good |
Degree of External Originality | As built/last Passenger rebuild (BR or before) |
Degree of Internal Originality | As built/last Passenger rebuild (BR or before) |
Degree of Underframe/Running Gear Originality | As built/last Passenger rebuild (BR or before) |
Degree of External Authenticity | Very Good |
Degree of Internal Authenticity | Very Good |
Degree of Underframe Authenticity | Very Good |
Rarity | Few |
Historical Importance | Some Importance |
Storage | Under Cover |
Operating | Yes |
Survey Date | 27/10/2024 |
Surveyor | Kevin Stroud |
Photo Date | 01/08/2016 |
Photo by | Steve Hilton |
At Risk | No |
Date Record Last Updated | 27/10/2024 |