Auto coach allocation where to find the information?

[kingfisher9147]

Hi All, sorry if this has been asked before by someone else. But where can I find out information on where auto coaches were allocated? 

Mike

[Harlequin]

There's a summary of allocations in Lewis's Great Western Autotrailers Vol 2.

 

 

[The Johnster]

It's pretty incomplete, though, and is basically a record of photo dates and observations in various journals.  That's about the best you'll get TTBOMK, though, sorry not to be more help. 

 

If it's any use, the following were xfer Tondu 1/9/53 in connection with the start of auto services in that area:-

 

Diagram J,  W 22

Diagram N, W 36 & W 37

Diagram A10, W 128

Diagram A20, W 142 (GW diagram number for ex-Cardiff Railway gangwayed twin set trailer_

Diagram A21, W 143 (GW diagram number for ex-Cardiff Railway gangwayed twin set trailer_

A2, W 3338 (Clifton Downs compartment driving trailer)

 

These were all gas-lit trailers, allox TDU because it was thought that the low speeds and short distances of branches in this area, especially the Porthcawl Branch, would not charge batteries sufficiently for reliable electric lighting.

 

The Cardiff Railway twin set was replaced in 1954 by a TVR gangwayed twin set, nos W 6423 and W 2507, these being in turn replaced by a simialr TVR set in 1956, W 6422 and W 2506.  It was found that the dynamos could charge batteries adequately for electric lighting to be used, though I believe the batteries were charged overnight from shore supply as well, and electrically lit trailers were used as the gaslit types were withdrawn.  Examples known to me are Diagram A30s W 189 W and W 194 W, and Diagram A44 no W 256 W.  Diagram A38 trailers also appeared after 1960 on the Porthcawl Branch.

[Hal Nail]

I know 193 and 163 often popped up in photos of Fowey in BR days, along with a cyclops 

 

So that's Cornwall covered!