W86500 Restoration - September 2009

The purchase of W86500 has now been completed and the vehicle moved over from LNWR Crewe (where it has been in storage) to Crewe Heritage Centre on the 11th September. A few days later the vehicle moved to its new home the Churnet Valley Railway.

After arrival the vehicle was parked in Cheddleton yard where an assessment of its condition was made. Surprisingly after so many years in store, the vehicle appeared in good condition, which will speed up the restoration process. Externally the vehicle is sound, apart from one or two minor areas of bodywork and a smashed window. The end doors would also need attention, you can see where they punched a small hole through the end doors to enable the through air pipe to be carried through the vehicle for its brief trip on the mainline.

Internally, the vehicle is complete but a bit rough round the edges, following some water damage and years without attention. However as this is to be a stores van, that is all the interior really needs to be so long as it is kept watertight.