GWR Route: Alcester to Hatton Junction

Claverdon Station: gwrc12b

Two of these four open wagons in the loop line have rounded ends, a common feature in early open wagons. It was designed to assist water to drain off the protective tarpaulin sheets and was a cheaper alternative to the sheet supporter bar arrangement. In 1887 the Railway Clearing House (RCH) published the first standard specification for the construction of 8 and 10 ton private owner wagons. Although the RCH allowed the bodies of private owner wagons to be built to suit the owner’s requirements, the specification showed flat ends and it is rare to find a round ended wagon built after this date. There were various grades of coal available depending upon chemical composition and physical properties. In general the deeper the seam, the better the coal quality (due to the greater compaction). Anthracite was the best quality with a greater than 90% carbon composition. This resulted in a high heat and clean burn that could justify a premium price. The nearest wagon contains domestic household coal, this was a middle range coal graded to small lump size.

Robert Ferris

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