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The wagon, as outshopped, April 2005. Both photos: Richard Salmon

SR 10-ft Wheelbase 8-plank open wagon

Built by the Southern Railway at Ashford Works to diagram 1377 and order number A968 between October 1938 and May 1939, it was one of a batch of 500 in the number series 37401-37900 built with an average tare weight of 6 Tons 16 cwt. and an average cost of £139.

A later batch of 250 in the number series 37901-38150 was built to the same diagram but order number A1033a and were built with the bottom plank of the drop door stepped out to assist loading by sack barrow.

This wagon was PBA 60026 at Bristol, (19)60xxx being the year it was taken into stock. As with the other PBA wagons, it is not actually possible to determine the exact SR number.

Purchased for the Bluebell in 1980, but having a nomadic existance until finally "coming home" in June 2002 (photo, right), it has now a secure future as part of the Bluebell's historic wagon collection.

BR(S) records showed several vehicles of this design withdrawn early in 1960. A vehicle with a number ending with the figure 6 from this batch was chosen. Its details are:-
37786 built May 1939, withdrawn January 1960.

As with other Bristol wagons, the "cupboard doors" are missing and have had to be replaced.

Its overhaul started in mid 2004, and details are available here. It was completed in time for the Goods Train Day on April 9th 2005.