GWR Route: Birmingham and Henley in Arden Railway Company

Lapworth to Henley in Arden Branch Line: gwrha2817

A Great Western Railway Diesel Railcar (thought to be Railcar No 2) crosses Bear Lane overbridge north of Henley-in-Arden Station and Signal Box in the summer of 1934. This is the Cardiff to Birmingham express businessmen's service that had been introduced that year.

On receiving the first AEC diesel railcar, the Great Western Railway immediately placed an order for six more railcars in February 1934 and the first three of these (No 2, 3 and 4) were delivered in June. These three diesel railcars cost of £6,541 each and had a buffet area, toilet and accommodation for forty four passengers. The propulsion units were two 130bhp diesel engines placed below the internal floor level, each engine powering separate bogies - one through a gear box and the other driving directly. Two 45 gallon fuel tanks sufficient for 450 to 500 miles were provided. Railcar No 2 made trial runs from Paddington to Oxford return on Tuesday 3rd July and to Birmingham return on the following day and these proved a top speed of over 70 mph was possible. A trial run with VIP passengers was made from Paddington to Birmingham and thence to Cardiff on Friday 6th July, with the regular twice daily service commencing on Monday 9th July. This service was worked by two railcars (the third held in reserve at Tyseley shed). The 117 mile journey from Birmingham to Cardiff took 150 minutes with intermediate stops at Gloucester and Newport and a supplement of 2s/6d was charged.

In the up relief siding head shunt at Henley-in-Arden is a brake van (telegraphic code Toad), while a permanent way gang appears to be working on the lineside fencing.

Robert Ferris

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