84114

84114 is a Mk1 gangwayed brake (BG). They were built in the late 1950's and have no passenger seats, the whole 57ft vehicle is dedicated to carrying non-passenger commodities. The BG consists of three sections. Two open areas at each end (one larger than the other) for carrying 8 tons of goods with a small enclosed guards compartment in the middle. This area contains all the equipment needed by a guard such as a swivelling chair, desk, food warmer and brake gauge/valve along with the usual range of emergency equipment. Access from the train is via the corridor connection fitted at each end, meaning these vehicles are accessable from a normal rake of stock. Access from the platform is by no less than four sets of double doors each side, presumably for speedy loading/unloading of goods. The guard also has a single door in the middle. Of all the non-passenger stock the BGs were the most suitable for operating with passeneger trains rather than in rakes of their own, although they were used mainly on dedicated parcel working towards the end of their working lives.

84114 was built as 81114 by Metro-Cammell for BR in 1958 and weighs 31 tons. The BG can handle 8 tons evenly distributed in the two internal open areas. It was introduced in parcel and passenger trains in BR in the 1960's. Such an insignificant vehicle (there were 128 BGs) would be almost impossible to trace, but we can speculate that the vehicle would have spent the 60's, 70's & 80's travelling the BR network hauling parcels, goods and anything else that was required of it. It also was repainted from the BR Maroon it was delivered in into corporate BR Blue & grey. Some time in the 1980's it fell out of use but instead of being disposed of was used as an internal user at Derby Etches Park T&RSMD gaining the number 024914, which is still painted on the bodyside in large, crude white letters, with the BR number 84114 just visible underneath. It was later deemed surplus and put up for sale.

Whilst having a very shabby appearance, 84114 is in relatively good condition, having a reasonable interior and only a few panes of glass and doors to sort out on the outside. After arriving on the CVR a couple of years ago, the vehicle has been stored at Oakamoor Sand Sidings, the eventual intention being to restore it to run as a tail load for the running DMUs, as it is fully vacuum braked (although there are parts missing that would need to be addressed). The vehicle is currently in Blue & Grey livery and may at some point be used as a workshop.