5883 Overhaul

An on going programme of repairs and repaints to the GW2 set has been undertaken both at Bewdley and Kidderminster carriage workshops. April 2004 saw 5883 in Kidderminster paint shop for panel repairs, door repairs and complete repaint.

August 2004

5883 returned to traffic 5th August 2004. Just a few weeks later it was requested for a filming contract - Disney's version of Narnia. But the repainted brilliant white was too much for the producers so was heavily toned down. The opening shots of the film features 7802 Bradley Manor with four GW(SVR)A coaches 6913, 1146, 1086 and 5883 as a war time evacuation train. Filmed around Little Rock and Highley Station it shows the Valley's excellent scenery very well.

The renovated compartment with reupholstered armrests.

July 2004

Compartment side now up to top coat.

Extensive research at the Public Record Office, Kew as revealed a drawing dated 1.4.1896, signed by Daniel Gooch, of a previously unknown livery. Although somewhat out of period we thought it would be interesting to see how it would look on this side of the coach.

June 2004

Work progressing on the corridor side with filler being applied over the panel screws.

April 2004

5883 compartment side, filled and primed. April 2004

Corridor side, partly stripped with one door sent to Bewdley carpentry shop for rebuilding.

Some of the interior moulding removed for revarnishing.

Some 5000 loose and rusty screws have been removed and the holes dowled before fitting new screws.

All the doors and locks have required extensive repairs.

Work underway in one of the compartments.