GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Tyseley Shed: gwrt344

GWR Railcar No 4 is seen standing on one of the direct access roads in to Tyseley Repair workshops as it has maintenance work undertaken to the engines circa 1935. The set of tracks nearest the camera would require the traverser to be in place to allow locomotives access to the shed. The underframes and power units were again built at AEC under the direction of C. F. Cleaver with the bodies built by Park Royal. To assist with oil temperature control, the sumps of the engines were enlarged and fitted with cooling fins. Unusually, the bogie's were both gear-driven and directly-driven in that only one gearbox was fitted that powered both bogies at one end of the railcar, while the other engine directly-drove just one bogie at the other end. The fluid flywheel provided on this engine was designed to slip until full throttle was required in top gear.

The interior design of these three railcars moved away from the bus inspired design of number 1, especially with the inclusion of a buffet and removable tables. The buffet could provide hot and cold drinks and wines and a small amount of hot foods and snacks. A gas-heated boiler fed the coffee and milk boiler and toaster, while nearby was a small toilet with hot water heated by the engines exhausts. The first of the series was delivered in early July 1934 and underwent several trail and press runs before entering service with the other two members on the 16th of July. This service was the first regular diesel working to be run to a fast schedule in this country and the 117½ miles between Birmingham and Cardiff were covered in 2 hours 20 minutes. Fares were charged at the normal 3rd class pricing but bookings were limited by the number of seats on the railcar. Courtesy of 'The Great Western Archive'.

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