London & South Western Railway - No.5498
Ventilated Goods Van (built in 1920)
The LSWR ventilated van at Horsted Keynes in the 1990s, when used as a workshop
Richard Salmon
The LSWR ventilated van at Horsted Keynes in the 1990s, when used as a workshop
Richard Salmon
Type: Ventilated Luggage Van
Built: 1920 at Eastleigh
Original No: 5498
Other Nos: SR: 1584, 1686S, BR: DS1686
Length: 24'
Weight: 11 Tons
Withdrawn: 1941
Preserved: 1970
To Bluebell: 3/10/1971
This vehicle was used on passenger trains for such traffic as milk, meat, fish and small (caged) livestock, where its ventilation was important. Of course it could also be used for general luggage or parcels if required. On withdrawal it was converted to carry a generator for use as a mobile battery charging van, allocated to Exeter Central.
It was preserved by the Southern Locomotive Preservation Co., initially at Liss, moving the following year to the Bluebell. An identical vehicle is finely restored to its original "salmon and brown" livery at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, where it is stored under cover.
This vehicle is seen painted olive green, as it would have been by the Southern Railway in the 1930s, and received an experimental form of roof covering in about 1993, which we hope will be a more enduring alternative to the original painted canvas. It awaits a full overhaul.
Go to another photo of this van.
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© Copyright April 1995 by Richard Salmon.