GWR brake van design - why single verandah?

[The Stationmaster]

On 31/03/2022 at 12:39, hmrspaul said:

Much of the discussion has been about BR use of these vans.

The GWR appendix to the rule book in 1936 makes clear that vans were allocated to one guard - who was responsible for locking it up and taking the key home when he was "resting". There were spare keys and spare vans to replace "their" van when it was not available. If going to shops all the equipment was removed at the allocated depot. The guards were responsible for ensuring all was correct on the van before locking it up, including that the sander was full and dry. The management of the allocated yards were required to inspect the van once per week to ensure it remained clean and tidy (internally). 

 

Paul

 

Exactly so.  That remained the case - officially - until c. late 1942 when it was finally recognised that the impact of wartime working made it extremely difficult, if not impossible to maintain that system.   That is teh earliest date to which I can trace any mention of the RU (Restricted User_ branding and even then it only referred at that time to vans being kept for specific local use. 

[Hal Nail]

On 16/03/2022 at 15:12, The Johnster said:

GW toads had proper doors on the veranda sides, whereas the other vans had safety rails that could be removed from their position while you were boarding or de-vanning.

Bit of a bump for this. The subject of the GWR toads being banned as had a relatively low veranda came to mind yesterday on the Watercress line when i noticed (and was grateful for) the extra rails that have been put on. 

 

Sadly the planned Queen Mary was hemmed in somewhere so to allow photos out of the back, I opened the rear lamp access hatch. Inevitably one bloke firing off 1000s of photos got over-confident while the guard was on the veranda and as the coupling slack was taken up for the descent, was very nearly fired straight out through the opening!

 

 

[Compound2632]

1 hour ago, Hal Nail said:

Bit of a bump for this. The subject of the GWR toads being banned as had a relatively low veranda came to mind yesterday on the Watercress line when i noticed (and was grateful for) the extra rails that have been put on. 

 

We had a brake van ride at a Thomas day on the Watercress about 15 or 16 years ago - when the boys were small. I don't recall an extra rail but we were packed like sardines on the verandah. The smallest people were nearest the sides and the taller people towards the middle, so there was no danger of losing anyone overboard!