GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Tyseley Shed: gwrt3889

Extract from the Revised General Appendix to the Book of Rules and Regulations of Saloon coaches

This extract from the Revised General Appendix to the Book of Rules and Regulations which came into effect on 1st May 1910, details some of the Saloon coaches stationed at various locations (including thirteen in Birmingham). It is likely that these were stored at Tyseley Carriage Sidings when not in use. A similar list can be found in the General Appendix to the Book of Rules and Regulations which came into operation in October 1920. This later list indicates that the same saloon coaches were still stationed at Birmingham, with the exception of the two eight wheeled Third Class Saloons numbered 9365 and 9366. These two saloons were converted for use in ambulance trains during the First World War as records show that No 9365 reverted to Third Class Saloon status in October 1921 (under Lot 1298), while No 9366 reverted to Saloon Status in February 1921 (under Lot 1284).

All of these saloons were available for hire by groups and parties, when they would be attached to timetabled passenger trains. To hire a saloon coach, the journeys must exceed 50 miles and required a minimum number of fares depending upon the saloon type; four fares for an invalid or family saloon, seven fares for a First Class Saloon and ten fares for a Third class saloon. Travel on other railway company’s lines was possible as some saloon coaches were fitted with both Westinghouse and Vacuum brakes, but such travel arrangements attracted additional charges.

Further specific details of the individual Saloons stationed at Birmingham Division in 1910 are provided in the following table:

Running Number		Description	No of Wheels & Roof type	Dimensions	Dia No.	Lot No.	Dates
New	Pre-1907	Description	No of Wheels & Roof type	Dimensions	Dia No.	Lot No.	Construction	Condemned
9065	507	Family Carriage	4, Clerestory	31’0”x 8’0”	G42	304	1884	Parcel Van
9034	230	Family Carriage	8 Clerestory	45’6”x 8’6”	G32	924	November 1899
9004	11	1st Class Saloon	4, Clerestory	27’0”x 8’0”	G17	543	August 1890
9052	488	1st Class Saloon	6, Single Arc	29’0”x 7’6”	n/a	28	1870
9202	34	Nondescript Saloon	6	31’0”x 8’0”	G27		1887	Milk & Fruit Van (O14)
9310	2504	3rd Class Saloon	6 (3 centre)	31’0”x 8’0”	G19	632	May 1892	1932
9311	2505	3rd Class Saloon	6 (3 centre)	31’0”x 8’0”	G19	632	May 1892	1935
9336	2530	3rd Class Saloon	6 (3 centre)	31'0”x 8’0”	G20	774	May 1896	1933
9337	2531	3rd Class Saloon	6 (3 centre)	31’0”x 8’0”	G20	774	May 1896	1933
9349	2543	3rd Class Saloon	6 (3 centre)	31’0”x 8’0”	G20	824	December 1896	1933
9359	2553	3rd Class Saloon	6 (3 centre)	31’0”x 8’0”	G20	888	August 1898	1934
9365	2597	3rd Class Saloon	8 Clerestory	46’6”x 8’6”	G18	984	December 1901
9366	2598	3rd Class Saloon	8 Clerestory	46’6”x 8’6”	G18	984	December 1901

According to a January 1928 lecture on ‘Great Western Passenger Train Special Traffic’ the use of Saloon coaches had declined, but remained sufficient for a number of new eight wheeled bogie saloons to be built. In the 1930’s most of the 6 wheeled saloon coaches were condemned, while the diagram G27 saloon (No 9202) had been converted into a Milk & Fruit Van (diagram O14) and the diagram G42 saloon (No 9065) became a Parcels Van.

Robert Ferris

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