Autocoaches

Which autocoaches will be in a serviceable condition in 2015?

 

Hello,
BRW 231 at Didcot is servicable ,GWR 190 is being repainted so will probably be serviceable in 2015.
I think there are the two Autochoaches on the SVR in use.
So 4 so far.
Not sure of the condition of those on the SDR nor other Railway Companies.
So a start.
Nick

 

Post deleted.

 

Don't forget 92, at Didcot. The big red one that was restored to run with the railmotor.

 

Slightly off topic, but PushPull set 484 made up of LCDR 4 wheelers 4115 & 6369 is in regular service on the Isle of Wight. Unfortunately the PushPull equipment is not fitted, nor is there a fitted loco.

 

Thats correct, 2 fully servicable vehicles just waiting on the locos overhaul to be completed. And another coach well on it's way through restoration.

It was only a few years ago that we had 5 autocoaches in Pentrefelin shed, when the railmotor and trailer were being restored.

 

But whilst there are a creditable number serviceable other rather nice old ones are just falling to bits like no 38 at Telford & Horsehay

 

Whilst on the Subject, did BR build any autocoaches ? or we're they all Regional designs

 

The WR ones were built in two batches in 1951 & 1954, so were built by BR to a BR design. However that 'BR design' was entirely Swindon in origin. I don't believe there was ever a 'Mk 1 Trailer'.

Under the paint, Nos 220-234 & 235-244 were pure Hawksworth - framing direct built onto the body, steel channel cantrails & an early variant of Formica on the interior walls.

It's interesting that by pure happenstance there are preserved examples of all the post-grouping GW/BR(W) trailer designs with the exception of those covered by the modifications to 220 'Thrush' & 221 'Wren':
A.27 - 163, 167, 169
A.28 - 174, 178
A.30 - 190
A.34 - 225, 228, 231, 232, 233,
A.43 - 238, 240
Pre-grouping there are only 2 1/2 - Nos 38 & 92. The 'half' is the ex ADR 'Barnum' coach at Nantgarw

http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=17

Shame that none of the slab-sided matchboard trailers never made it. I was told that there was one up for grabs in the very early days of the GWS, but it was deemed as being 'beyond it'.

Pete S.,
C&W Dept.,
GWS Didcot.

 

A bit of info here including "fitted" locos.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GWR_Autocoach

 

Thats great thanks, not forgetting the GWR were not the only users of Auto coaches or, 'Push & Pull' trains...

 

233 should be ready to operate by next spring on the SDR as well as most of the timber work is ready and been fitted in. Will be helping to do more work on it this most Saturdays and 169 when 233 is finished.