Modelled from auto trailers numbers 36 to 41 which were released into service during January & February 1907 these coaches comprised a glazed cab end with regulator and train brake controls for the driver, two passenger saloons divided by a central door vestibule and a luggage compartment. One of the two passenger saloons was for smokers. Initially this was the rear saloon but from 1928 the larger cab end saloon was designated for smoking. Guards on auto trains usually rode in the central vestibule in order to assist passengers boarding the train and issue tickets from unstaffed halts.
Gas lighting was retained throughout the services lives of these coaches as the frequent stops and low speeds of branch trains often resulted in dynamos not providing enough voltage for long enough to charge lighting batteries.
These auto trailer coaches were allocated to branch lines and local passenger services across the GWR network until withdrawn during 1957, about the time diesel multiple unit trains were being introduced. Trailer number 38 was utilised as an office at Newport following withdraw, this coach lasting long enough in this role to be purchased for preservation and is now at the Telford Steam Railway.
These models will have identical specification as the previous Lionheart versions and will feature:
- Die cast bogie frame with fine scale wheels
- Superbly detailed body with many added detailed parts
- Sprung Buffers
- Expertly applied livery
- Fully Compensated Chassis
Coaches, cars & trailersThe GWR always described coaches equipped with 'through control', ie fitted with regulator control rods to link the front cab and locomotive, as 'trailers' possibly originating from the use of trailers with steam railmotors. This differentiated these specially fitted vehicles from normal locomotive hauled coaches.
Railwaymen often referred to auto trains as 'cars', mostly as these trains frequently comprised just one trailer coach, though the term itself probably originated from the abbreviation of 'carriage' to 'car' for paperwork purposes, eg 'car.no.' in place of a fully spelt out 'carriage number'.
The remaining question is the GWRs use of the term 'auto' when other railways called these 'pull-push' or 'push-pull' trains. This may be a contraction of 'autonomous train', referring to the steam railmotors again which needed no assistance or shunting to change direction at termini