GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Birmingham Snow Hill - Grouping Period Rolling Stock: gwrbsh2497

Great Western Railway 25 ton Goods Brake Van No 56875 in a mixed freight train on the main down line passing through Birmingham Snow Hill Station in 1947. Most Great Western Railway Goods Brake Vans (frequently called by their telegraphic code - Toad) had a similar and distinctive appearance with a single large sheltered veranda adjacent to an enclosed cabin, which contained equipment lockers and a stove. The handle for the screw brake was in the veranda area and this operated the two-shoe clasp brakes on each wheel. Large sand boxes (bunkers) were positioned above each wheel in case additional adhesion was required. Each sand box had a pipe dropping almost to rail height in front of the wheel and the flow of sand was controlled by a lever on the veranda. Prior to the World War II, Brake Vans were normally allocated to specific locations to operate on designated trains. An extract from the Great Western Railway General Appendix to the Rule Book HERE gives an insight into their operation.

Following the success of the 2-8-0 locomotive prototype No 97 in 1903, another thirty 28xx class locomotives were built by 1907. In addition to handling express night freight trains, the principle task of these locomotives was to haul the regular 100 ton unfitted coal trains to the capital. At this time the existing standard Brake Vans typically had a weight of 12/14 tons and were insufficient to accompany these trains, requiring a heavier brake van to be introduced. The first ‘heavy’ brake van (Diagram AA1) utilised components from the previous designs necessitating a six wheel arrangement to share the increased load, but in 1902 a new four wheel ‘heavy’ brake van (Diagram AA2) was designed. It incorporated more robust components, in particular 10 x 5 inch (20 ton) axlebox journals and larger bearing springs. A total of 278 Diagram AA2 Brake Vans were built between 1902 and 1910. No 56875 was built as part of Lot 477 during 1904 to 1905. There were thirty brake vans in this lot with running numbers 56855 – 56884. No 56875 was known to have been allocated to Swansea.

In the foreground adjacent to the Brake Van is a Great Western Railway five plank open wagon (Diagram O29). This wagon No 120881, was part of Lot 1070 for 1,587 wagons built in 1933 and 1934. The wagon was to a standard Railway Clearing House design; 17 foot, 6 inch over headstocks on a 9 foot wheelbase. Features include the straight external diagonal strapping and an 11 inch wide second plank (on previous five plank open wagon designs this was positioned at the top) to give an internal height of 3 foot 3 inches. The door has the standard ‘tapered foot’ feature – introduced in 1919, the sloping bottom plank was designed to provide a flatter surface, when the wagon door was lowered on to an adjacent standard height platform, to facilitated loading with sack trucks. These open wagons were non-vacuum brake wagons with Morton lever brake gear on both sides. Originally designated 12 ton capacity wagons, they were uprated to 13 tons during World War II.

This photograph is displayed courtesy of the HMRS (Historical Model Railway Society) and copies can be ordered directly from them using the link HERE, quoting reference AEL228.

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Extract on the Working of Goods Brake Vans taken from page 177 of:

1. Each regular train should, as far as possible, have a brake van allocated to it
2. Station Masters, Yard Masters and Yard Inspectors must make such arrangements as will ensure brake vans working to their own depots without delay, either by the regular service, by utilising them on special trains in their home direction or by forwarding light on regular services
3. Freight trains are on occasion terminated short of their destinations and when such arrangements are made by Controls, or other responsible Officers, an instruction must be given as to the method of dealing with the brake van. If it can be seen that the train will be put off short of destination for over 8 hours the brake van must be sent light with the engine to the nearest depot
4. Doors of Goods Brake Vans must be kept locked when not in use. – Goods brake van doors are fitted with rim locks. Appointed Guards may, as a rule, retain possession of van door keys when resting, but when on leave or absent from duty through illness or any other exceptional cause, the keys must be left at the depot or other appointed place. A number of spare keys for use by emergency men acting as Goods Guards are kept at the depots and will be handed to these Guards as required, who must return them to the depots from which they are obtained
5. Each Van will be equipped with the following articles:-

Set of Side and Tail Lamps
Fire Shovel
Oil Can
Shunting Pole
Hand Brush
Not less than 2 sprags
Sand Bucket
Brake stick
Short Drawbar and Block

These articles are to remain in the van except when sent to shops for repair.

The short drawbars are provided for use in the event of a wagon drawbar breaking and, as they pull direct from the headstock, Guards and others concerned must exercise great care in starting trains after fixing them, and they must only be used to move the damaged wagon to the nearest siding, where it should be detached.

6. Guards are responsible for the cleanliness and correct equipment of their vans. When leaving duty they must report in the book provided for the purpose, particulars of any missing equipment, or any matters requiring attention. They should keep their own property in the lockers provided in the Guard's room or cabins or deposit it with the Yard Inspector
7. Guards using spare vans will be responsible for locking them up on each occasion, ensuring sufficient oil is in the can for another journey, that equipment and fittings are in order in regard to number and condition, and that the inside is left in a thoroughly clean condition
8. In the event of a brake van being marked off, or stopped for repairs, the Guard will be responsible for advising the Traffic Inspector, or person in charge, in writing, of the fact, and before the van is sent to the shops the van equipment must be handed in at the depot, where it must be retained, except as referred to in paragraph 3, until the van is returned from the shops, one of the equipped spare vans being used in the meantime
9. If a goods brake van allocated to one station is transferred to another station, the full equipment must be transferred with it
10. Yard Masters, Station Masters and Yard Inspectors must arrange for the inspection of goods brake vans weekly, and satisfy themselves as to their cleanliness and equipment, including the supply of suitable sand, reporting to the Divisional Superintendent any irregularity in connection with the working
11. Guards must not paint over the bottom panes of windows of goods brake vans thereby obstructing the look-out, neither must the construction of the vans be tampered with in any way
12. Guards must, when leaving a brake van, satisfy themselves that there is sufficient sand for the next journey and must, before starting, test sanding appliances to ensure satisfactory working
13. Guards must show on journals particulars of vans working home light.

Robert Ferris

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