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LMS Route: Rugby to Wolverhampton
LMS Route: Nuneaton to Leamington

Coventry Station: lnwrcov2642

A publicity photograph showing the Triumph built 'AA' motorcycle sidecar combinations being loaded into covered wagons

A publicity photograph showing the Triumph built 'AA' motorcycle sidecar combinations being loaded into covered wagons. The AA began to motorise its patrolmen from 1912 when solo motorcycles were introduced, initially for Inspectors. The first motorcycle combinations, known as Road Service Outfits or 'RSOs', were issued in 1919. The sidecar made it possible to carry a tool kit along with cans of petrol, oil and water. Early motorcycles were from manufacturers such as Chater Lea, Triumph and BSA. For several years after the introduction of motorcycles a significant number of patrols were still conducted on bicycles (whilst in 1923 there were 274 AA patrols with motorcycle combinations some 376 still relied on pedal power). By 1938 the patrol force had grown in size and motorcycles now dominated with 1500 patrols on motorcycles compared to 860 still relying on pedal power.

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