Brake Van sees the light

NDR’s brake van has emerged into the daylight for the first time in many years.  Built in 1950 and withdrawn from service in 1977, it was bought by NDR in October 2017, but did not go into the workshop until December 2019.

The cabin proved to be beyond repair.  With expert advice sourced through the Heritage Railway Association, the cabin has been totally rebuilt, additional weight added to the chassis and the vacuum brake cylinders fully overhauled.  Countless volunteer hours have been dedicated to its restoration, interrupted only by Covid lockdowns and six months without power.  However, the ceiling height in the workshop was too low to allow the roof to be completed, and this can be carried out in the open now that better weather is here.

When NDR is permitted to go operational, it is planned that the brake van will be used as a coach to carry passengers until another suitable coach becomes available.

Further information on the brake van’s rebuild can be found elsewhere on the website – see the Locomotives and Rolling Stock section under ‘About Us’.