current work on the Toplight is on the following:-
 
1 Working on the chassis, needle gunning and painting it, All the brake gear, vacuum cylinders, dynamo etc is off and working through restoring the bits
 
2 Mouldings on the end
 
3 door handles + doors
 
4 Droplights have all been newly made and will be temparily fitted shortly.

3898	7545
3930	9055

Before and what they will look like once restored shots for the groups 2 carriages

Lasted update   24/08/08  News Pages added

Why not visit our friends at the TVR Coach Fund [here]

Welcome to the Toplight Coach Group Website. The group was set up to restore Great Western Railway Tri Composite Toplight coaches no 7545 and 3898 which were built by the Great Western Railway in Swindon, England in 1907 (7545) and 1920.(3898). Both carriages were in regular passenger use until 1958. The general design of these coaches were commonly known as "Toplights" because of the small windows above the doors and main windows these being called toplights.

They were then withdrawn, 7545 was converted for departmental service with the British Railways signal department and ran until 1979. It was built as part of Lot 1138 and was originally one of 15 constructed (to diagram E83) in 1907 of which only 7545 and one other (7538) are known to have survived.

3898 was originally steel panelled and built to diagram C32 and was converted to a holiday camping Coach in 1958 and moved to Dawlish Warren as camper "Freda". It was purchased by the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway in 1981 with several others from Exeter. No work was done and it was later used as a store. Under threat from being scrapped it was acquired by the TCG and moved to the Swindon and Cricklade railway as a second project to be done after 7545. For the time being it will be painted, made watertight and used for storage.

There is a notice board next to 7545 which has photographs and more detailed history of the coach on it. This will updated with more photographs and information as the restoration progresses.

This website has been set up to promote the group and currently includes young and older people with experience of both metal and woodworking. We also have a member who is an Ex Swindon works coach builder and worked on these coaches when they were in service. We generally work on the project on Wednesdays (day and evening) and at weekends.

Many parts are being restored and new ones made with the help of students at Faringdon Community college.

Much of the work is basic woodwork such as sanding, sawing, varnishing etc so you don't need any special skills, we can gradually train you up and you could work on it whenever you can spare the time.

We can offer a luxury under cover working area, (none of this standing outside in the freezing cold and rain), as much overtime as you want and the usual very generous SCR rates of pay apply. We also have plenty of tools if you don't have your own.

To work on it you would have to become a member of the Swindon Cricklade Steam Railway for insurance purposes. This is approx £10 per year. Any offers of help or spare parts/materials etc would be much appreciated.

It is intended to restore both coaches to the condition they would have been in the early 1920s when painted in the fully lined out chocolate and cream livery. In the 1930s the livery was simplified and would have been chocolate and cream but without all the panelling highlighted.

If you want to know more, or wish to help then telephone James Faulkner on 07715 322241 or email james75452000@yahoo.com or Nick Bailey on (01242) 604522 or speak to us at weekends when we are working on it.

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