GWR Super Saloons
GWR Super Saloon | |
---|---|
Laira | |
Specifications | |
Car body construction | Steel Body-on-frame, non-integral |
Car length | 61 feet 4+1⁄2 inches (18.707 m) |
Width | 9 feet 7 inches (2.92 m) |
Doors | hinged slam |
Maximum speed | 100 mph (160 km/h) |
Weight | 35 long tons (36 t) |
HVAC | Steam |
Braking system(s) | Automatic vacuum |
Coupling system | Drawhook |
Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
The
Background
The original backers of the GWR had adopted Isambard Kingdom Brunel's plan to speed trans-Atlantic Ocean passage for both passengers and freight by providing a direct route from London westwards to the connecting ports located in the West Country and Wales. However, many of the financial backers were based in Bristol, itself a major port, and so although the company eventually developed Brunel's plan, the only major high-speed railway connection was eventually developed to Plymouth.[1]
Post-
As a result, from the mid-1920s a new race to attract the Ocean Liners and hence these passengers began between the
Pullman carriages
The GWR was reluctant to use
From 8 July 1929, the Pullman cars were deployed in a new train the Torquay Pullman Limited, an all-Pullman service which ran two days a week between London Paddington and Paignton, stopping at Newton Abbot and Torquay only. Not a commercial success, the train returned for the 1930 timetable as a 3 car only service, but was withdrawn at the end of the summer timetable, with the carriages stored at Old Oak Common. A proposal was made to return the full seven car train in summer 1931, but the decision was taken not to operate the service.[3]
Development
In 1929, under the auspicies of
Collett made full use of the loading gauge advantage, designing a basic carriage shape that was 61 feet 4.5 inches (18.707 m) in length and 9 feet 7 inches (2.92 m) wide—a full 7 inches (180 mm) wider than a standard British loading gauge carriage.[1][4] The result was that the Swindon Works designated "Super Saloons"—which also became known as "Ocean Saloons" and "Cunarders" in service operation—were restricted to the mainline of the GWR that had been originally developed as broad gauge.[1][4] Hence, each carriage had painted on its end plate:[1][4][5]
Not to run over the Eastern and Western Valleys, North of
Saltney Junctionor between Littlemill Junction and Maindee Junction.
Collett had also designed-in a clearance insurance policy, by designing the carriages with inset end doors which were angled at 30 degrees to the exterior body panels.[1][4]
All Super Saloons were built within Swindon Works Lot No. 1471,
With the Super Saloons now fully available for traffic, the lease on the seven Pullman cars was terminated at the end of 1931, and these were transferred to the Southern Railway, joining the SR's Western Section carriage pool at Clapham Junction.[3] The legacy of the Super Saloons included Collett's 1935 development of the new "Centenary" carriages built for the Cornish Riviera Express, which again made full use of the wider loading gauge on that route.[4]
Operations
Introduced in 1931, the Ocean Liner Express ran non-stop in each direction between
Due to their weight, commonly only five Super Saloons were operated in one train at any one time, together with two passenger brake vans to accommodate passengers' luggage.[1][4] Often, the trains were reduced to three Super Saloons and two passenger brake vans, allowing the train to run at higher speed.[1][4] The Ocean Liner Express was always banked both ways over the Devon and Wellington Banks.[1][4]
Decline
Although a relative financial success initially, the launch of the Ocean Super Saloons and their dedicated trains coincided with the start of the Great Depression. Consequently, the number and frequency of trains was reduced, whilst the shipping companies ran their passenger liners at slower speeds to consume less fuel, and hence speed became less of a deciding factor in choice of route. As Southampton developed as the south coast passenger port of choice, Plymouth declined in importance as a passenger port, although Royal Navy officers and the gentry from Cornwall became regular customers on the Ocean Liner expresses.[1]
The GWR looked for new uses for their Super Saloons, and began using them on specialist dining trains to
Preservation
Five of the eight Super Saloons have survived into preservation:
Number | Name | Location | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
9111
|
King George
|
Operational
|
Bought direct from BR by the South Devon Railway Association, it arrived at Buckfastleigh in 1967. Forms one-half of the SDR dining train with 9116.[5] | |
9112
|
Queen Mary
|
Preserved
|
Second carriage built and brought into operations, it was fitted out internally by contractors Trollope & Co. One of three bought by the Great Western Society direct from BR in 1967, they were all moved to Didcot in 1976. Used with 9118 as part of the "Wine & Dine" facility until the end of the 1980s. In the queue to be restored, but after 9113 and 9118.[6] | |
9113
|
Prince of Wales
|
Under Restoration
|
The third carriage built, and the first fitted out by Swindon Works Saloon Gang. One of three bought by the Great Western Society direct from BR in 1967, they were all moved to Didcot in 1976. Structurally sound it is currently being substantially rebuilt so that it can be returned to service.[8] | |
9114
|
Duke of York
|
Scrapped [7]
|
||
9115
|
Duke of Gloucester
|
Scrapped [7]
|
||
9116
|
Duchess of York
|
Operational
|
Bought direct from BR by the South Devon Railway Association, it arrived at Buckfastleigh in 1967. Now owned by the South Devon Railway Trust, it forms one-half of the SDR dining train with 9111.[7] | |
9117
|
Princess Royal
|
Scrapped [7]
|
||
9118
|
Princess Elizabeth
|
Preserved
|
Originally configured with two open-plan saloons, to avoid the need to provide a full kitchen car when the saloon's were used for hire to private hire, in 1937 the coupé and one lavatory were removed to allow fitment of a small kitchen, which is still operational. One of three bought by the Great Western Society direct from BR in 1967, they were all moved to Didcot in 1976. Used with 9112 as part of the "Wine & Dine" facility until the end of the 1980s. Awaiting restoration behind 9113.[9] |
References
- ^ Great Western Society/Wild Swan Publishing: 204.
- ^ Peter Gray (5 April 2013). "Concertina coaches replace Dreadnoughts". This Is South Devon. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ^ a b "Pullman Car Zena".
- ^ ISBN 0-7153-8050-8.
- ^ a b c "GWR Ocean Saloon 9111 King George". South Devon Railway. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ^ Great Western Society. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "GWR Ocean Saloon 9116 Duchess of York". South Devon Railway. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- Great Western Society. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- Great Western Society. Retrieved 14 August 2013.