GWR Toplight 7545 was one of 15 built in Swindon in 1907 to the E83 design. Of the original 15 only one other 7538 still survives at the West Somerset Railway, the others being scrapped.
Original lit by gas lights, it was converted to electric light in the 1930s and was in passenger use until 1957 all over the GWR network, but probably mostly in Devon and Cornwall. It had two 1st, 2nd and 3rd class compartments.
In 1957 it was converted into a departmental vehicle in Par which involved removing much of the interior and all the seats and it was then used by the British rail signalling department until 1980 as a mobile workshop, being often kept in Reading or Yate.
In 1980 it was purchased privately from BR in Carmarthen in South Wales and came by rail to Swindon and then road for the final part of the trip to the Swindon and Cricklade. It was the first coach to arrive at the S&CR. No restoration work was done until 2004 when the restoration shed was especially extended and the coach moved inside to be worked on.
Since then the framework has been extensively rebuilt, new panelling and mouldings and all the roof boards replaced. The roof was re-canvassed. Work is now mostly concentrating on reconstructing the interior which is being restored back to original condition.
A small team work on it both mid-week and at weekends so please join the railway if you wish to be involved. It is intended that it will work with the other vehicles in the future vintage train.
