BrianE Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 In 1912 the GWR had a petrol railcar built by British Thompson Houston. I've seen the photos and data from a couple of books but all I've gleaned re measurements is that it was 33' 3" long overall. Apparently it is recorded as Diagram 'U' but I haven't seen that anywhere. I can happily deperspectify the photos I have but can anyone help with actual dimensions? Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 The British Thomson-Houston Co designed petrol electric railcar was obtained by GW in 1911. It was numbered railcar 100. It had 4 wheels. It was driven by two electric motors on an axle which were powered by a dynamo driven by a 40hp Maudsley petrol engine. The maximum speed was 35mph (quite high for its time) and could run 250 miles on one tank of petrol, far exceeding the comparable steam railmotors of the time. The total weight was 14t 9cwt. The length was 33ft 3in. The seating capacity was 44 (designed) 46 (built) It worked its GWR life allocated to the Windsor branch but was withdrawn in Oct 1919 and sold to Lever Bros (Port Sunlight) where it continued in private use until 1923. The chassis was dismantled the following year and disposed of. The body was sold to a member of staff at Lever Bros and was transferred to Gronan Beach near Prestatyn where it was used as a "summer house" until the mid 1950's. The vehicle was indeed later recorded as Dia "U" Though this was later re-used for Diesel Railmotor No 1 To go down in history as another one of GWR's experimental one-offs and was really ahead of its time. The reason given for its "failure" was overheating of the detachable valve seatings. There is a photo in RCTS "The Locomotives of the GWR Vol 11 opposite pg L13 and the majority of the above comes from the same source. Sadly, in answer to your question I can find no reference to the width of the body. Though I suspect the original drawings are maintained somewhere. Oh, and before I forget - Welcome to RMWeb. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidbr Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 From John Lewis' book 'Great Western Steam Railmotors and Their Services' pp197 - 202. Dimensions given are: 33' 3" long (maximum) [this is over the mouldings on the centre line where the ends bow out], 9' 03/4" wide (over mouldings), 11' 53/4" from rail to roof top and 13' 51/4" from rail to radiator cap. Wheelbase 19', wheels 3' 6" [discs] (Italics are my words) Sorry for the delay. I haven't looked at the forum for a long time (!) and I have only just picked up the thread. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etched Pixels Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Was digging for similar stuff and also came across this http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/29th-february-1912/13/a-new-gwr-petrol-electric-railcar# unfortunately the images the text references are missing in this case but if anyone can track down a copy would appear to include exterior and interior shots. It also implies there may well be a "The Railway News" article about the same time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Martino Posted April 30, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 30, 2013 There is a photo of the railcar on page 187 of the book Windsor to Slough, A Royal Branch Line. The book is by C.R. Potts and published by Oakwood Press. My copy is dated 1993. ISBN 0 85361 442 3. But of course, no dimensions and the same info as you have above! ....so I'm just duplicating. Nice little book though, if you're interested in the Windsor branch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etched Pixels Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 There is also what appears to be a works photo which has a nice clean front view but shows the same side/front as the Windsor book. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-PHOTOGRAPH-OF-GREAT-WESTERN-RLY-PETROL-ELECTRIC-RAILCAR-GWR-No-100-/140945054981?nma=true&si=isC6Lk5rI3gxkJdpuB05Zct%252Bb7k%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etched Pixels Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Photos on the commercialmotor page are now fixed. Outside photo is the one reproduced everywhere but there is also an interior photo down the railcar showing the seating arrangement and style and one of the engine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach bogie Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 The body was sold to a member of staff at Lever Bros and was transferred to Gronan Beach near Prestatyn where it was used as a "summer house" until the mid 1950's. The body still existed in the 1980's. I recall Tony Hammond intending to produce body etches and checking interest levels at shows. He had already measured it up as it was located not far from where he lived. Although it appeared in a later list he sadly packed in the modelling before any etches appeared. Mike Wiltshire Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daholmes19 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Hi there I happen to have a full set of zinc etchings for this railcar bought many years ago from Trevor Charlton, if anyone is interested I can scan them and send them to you. Cheers Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etched Pixels Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 I'd be certainly be interested in more data on it, but I'm a bit wary of building a model in part based upon a model.. It would be interesting to see a general photo of them though. Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daholmes19 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Hi Alan Sorry for the delay, been busy at work. here you go I have attached a picture for you. Cheers Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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