View source for GWR autocoach

{{Short description|A type of coach used on the Great Western Railway}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox train
| background       = #503300;color:lightgoldenrodyellow
| name             = GWR autocoach
| image            = GWR Autocoach.jpg
| imagealt         = 
| caption          = Autocoach 190 preserved at [[Didcot Railway Centre]]
| interiorimage    = 
| interiorimagealt = 
| interiorcaption  = 
| service          = 1904–1964
| manufacturer     = Swindon Works
| ordernumber      = 
| factory          = 
| family           = 
| replaced         = 
| yearconstruction = 1904–1954
| yearservice      = 
| refurbishment    = 
| yearscrapped     = 
| numberbuilt      = 256
| numberpreserved  = 15
| numberscrapped   = 241
| diagram          = A – Z, A1 – A44
| code             = 
| fleetnumbers     = 1 – 256
| capacity         = 
| operator         = {{Ubl|[[Great Western Railway]]|[[British Railways]]}}
| carbody          = 
| carlength        = 
| width            = 
| height           = 
| wheeldiameter    = 
| wheelbase        = 
| maxspeed         = 
| weight           =
| bogies           = 
| brakes           = 
| coupling         = 
| light            =
| gauge            = {{RailGauge|56.5in}}
| notes            =
| seating          =
}}

The '''GWR autocoach''' (or '''auto-trailer''') is a type of [[Passenger railroad car#Coach|coach]] that was used by the [[Great Western Railway]] for [[push-pull train]]s powered by a [[steam locomotive]]. The distinguishing design feature of an autocoach is the driving cab at one end, allowing the [[Train driver|driver]] to control the train without needing to be located in the cab of the steam locomotive. This eliminates the need to run the engine round to the other end of the coach at the end of each journey.

When one or more autocoaches are connected to a suitably equipped steam locomotive, the combination is known as an ''[[autotrain]]'', or, historically, a ''railmotor train''. A steam locomotive provided with the equipment to be used as an [[autotrain]] is said to be '''auto-fitted'''.

The autocoach is the forerunner of the [[Control car|driving trailer]] used with [[push–pull train]]s.

==Design features==
[[File:GWR coach A38 231 retractable steps.jpg|thumb|upright|Retractable steps for use at low [[Railway platform|platforms]]]]

A locomotive fitted with additional control equipment is used to power the autotrain. When running 'autocoach first', the [[Steam locomotive components|regulator]] is operated by a linkage to a rotating shaft running the length of the locomotive, passing below the cab floor. This engages (via a telescopic coupling) with another shaft running the full length below the floor of the autocoach. This shaft is turned by a second regulator lever in the cab of the autocoach. ''(See photograph sequence below.)'' The driver can operate the regulator, brakes and [[Train whistle|whistle]] from the far (cab) end of the autocoach; the fireman remains on the locomotive and (in addition to firing) also controls the [[valve gear]] settings. The driver can also warn of the train's approach using a large mechanical gong, prominently mounted high on the cab end of the autocoach, which is operated by stamping on a pedal on the floor of the cab. The driver, guard and fireman communicate with each other by an electric bell system.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lewis |first=John |date=1991 |title=Great Western Auto Trailers - Part One: Pre-Grouping Vehicles |publisher=Wild Swan |location=Didcot |isbn=0-906867-99-1 |pages=11–13 }}</ref>

<gallery>
File:GWR coach A38 225 driving compartment.jpg|The lever above the cab window moves a vertical rod...
File:GWR coach A38 231 rear end auto gear.jpg|...which rotates the long rod beneath the coach...
File:GWR coach A38 231 rear coupling.jpg|...to turn the flat bar at the back of the coach...
File:4866 autotrain connector.jpg|...that engages with the socket on the locomotive to operate the regulator.
</gallery>

==In operation==
[[File:GWR coach A38 225.jpg|thumb|The non-driving end of preserved W225 in British Railways livery on the [[South Devon Railway Trust|South Devon Railway]]]]

If more than one autocoach was used, the locomotive would usually be marshalled between the coaches, as 'play' in the control linkages could otherwise make operation difficult. This arrangement was not always possible where turntables were not convenient for turning coaches and hence up to two autocoaches could follow or lead a locomotive with cab ends away from the locomotive.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kingdom |first1=Anthony R |last2=Lang |first2=Mike |date=2004 |title=The Newton Abbot to Moretonhampstead Railway |isbn=1-873029-09-8 |publisher=ARK Publications (Railways) |pages=32, 43, 62 }}</ref>

Many GWR suburban services around [[Plymouth]] were formed of fixed autotrain formations of four autocoaches, two each side of the locomotive with cabs leading in each direction. When these were introduced in 1906, experiments were made to harmonise the appearance of the locomotive in the middle of the train by cutting down the side tanks and encasing the entire locomotive in a square bodyshell of the same basic design, height and width as the coaches, complete with 'windows' and the same chocolate/cream paint livery. Two [[GWR 2021 Class|2021 Class]] and two [[GWR 517 Class|517 Class]] engines were modified in this way.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Beck |first1=Keith |last2=Copsey |first2=John |date=1990 |title=The Great Western in South Devon |publisher=Wild Swan Publications |location=Didcot |isbn=0-906867-90-8 |pages=184–186 }}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=34–35}}</ref>

==Accidents and incidents==
* On 15 April 1923, carriage No. 70 formed a passenger train hauled by locomotive No. 215. The train was in a head-on collision with a freight train at [[Curry Rivel]], [[Somerset]] due to a signalman's error. Nine people were injured.<ref>{{cite book |last=Vaughan |first=Adrian |date=1989 |title=Obstruction Danger |publisher=Patrick Stephens Limited |location=Wellingborough |isbn=1-85260-055-1 |pages=29–32 }}</ref>
* On 16 November 1937, an empty train in a siding at the eastern end of [[Ealing Broadway station]] (between [[Railway platform|platforms]] 2 and 3) was waiting to be called into the platform to form the next service to {{stnlnk|Denham}} when the driver started the train in thick fog without noticing that the points were not set for the platform nor that the signals were against him, and the auto-trailer crashed into the [[signal box]]. This auto-trailer, no. 211 of Diagram A<sup>31</sup>, had been converted in August 1935 from [[GWR steam rail motors|steam rail motor]] no. 81 (Diagram Q<sup>1</sup>); it was repaired after the accident, and was not withdrawn until March 1959.<ref>{{cite book |last=Trevena |first=Arthur |date=1980 |title=Trains in Trouble |volume=1 |publisher=Atlantic Books |location=Redruth |page=41 |isbn=0-906899-01-X}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=197–200}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Lewis |first=John |date=1995 |title=Great Western Auto Trailers - Part Two: Post-Grouping and Absorbed Vehicles |publisher=Wild Swan |location=Didcot |isbn=1-874103-25-9 |page=312 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=Victor E. |last2=Smith |first2=Keith |date=April 2000 |title=Ealing to Slough |series=Western Main Lines |publisher=Middleton Press |location=Midhurst |isbn=1-901706-42-7 |at=map IV, figs. 9, 10 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/eventsummary.php?eventID=8561 |title=Accident at Ealing Broadway on 16th November 1937 |work=The Railways Archive |access-date=29 October 2014 }}</ref>

==Fleet list==
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
|+ Fleet list{{sfn|Harris|1966|pp=131–156}}
|-
! Year !! Diagram !! Lot no. !! Fleet no. !! Length !! Notes !! Preserved examples
|-
| 1904 || A<ref name="ewis1-51">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=51–52}}</ref> || 1055 || 1 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1904 || B<ref name="Lewis1-53">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=53–64}}</ref> || 1055 || 2 || {{convert|70|ft|0+3/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1905 || B, V, W, X, A4<ref name="Lewis1-53" /><ref name="Harris-146">{{cite book |last=Harris |first=Michael |date=1966 |title=Great Western Coaches: 1890–1954 | location=Newton Abbot |publisher=[[David and Charles]] | page=146}}</ref> || 1081 || 3–6 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1905 || C<ref name="Lewis1-111">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=111–114}}</ref><ref name="Harris-146" /> || 1087 || 7, 8 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1905 || D, A11, A12<ref name="Lewis1-65">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=65–66}}</ref> || 1090 || 9, 10 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1905 || E, F<ref name="Lewis1-67">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=67–70}}</ref><ref name="Harris-146" /> || 1097 || 11–13 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1905 || G, G1, H<ref name="Lewis1-124">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=124–126}}</ref><ref name="Harris-146" /> || 1097 || 14–17 || {{convert|52|ft|0+3/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1906 || J, J1<ref name="Lewis1-115">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=115–118}}</ref><ref name="Harris-146" /> || 1102 || 19–24 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1905 || K, K1, Y, A5<ref name="Lewis1-71">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=71–72}}</ref><ref name="Harris-146" /> || 1103 || 25–28 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1906 || L<ref name="Lewis1-75">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=75–87}}</ref><ref name="Harris-146" /><ref name="Harris-147">{{harvnb|Harris|1966|page=147}}</ref> || 1108 || 29–34 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1906 || M, M1, A8<ref name="Lewis1-127">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=127–128}}</ref> || 1108 || 18, 35 || {{convert|54|ft|0+3/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1907 || N<ref name="Lewis1-119">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=119–122}}</ref> || 1126 || 36–41 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} |||| 38 at the [[Telford Steam Railway]]
|-
| 1906 || L<ref name="Harris-147" /> || 1127 || 42–47 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1907 || O, S<ref name="Lewis1-87">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=87–91}}</ref><ref name="Harris-147" /> || 1128 || 48 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Experimental ||
|-
| 1907 || P<ref name="Lewis1-91">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=91–92}}</ref> || 1130 || 49–52 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1908 || L<ref name="Harris-147" /> || 1141 || 53–58 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1908 || L<ref name="Harris-147" /> || 1143 || 59–70 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1909 || Q<ref name="Lewis1-93">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=93–110}}</ref><ref name="Harris-147" /><ref name="Harris-148">{{harvnb|Harris|1966|page=148}}</ref> || 1160 || 71, 72 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1909 || R<ref name="Lewis1-93" /><ref name="Harris-147" /><ref name="Harris-148" /> || 1161 || 73, 74 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1911 || T<ref name="Lewis1-97">{{harvnb|Lewis|1991|pages=97-64}}</ref><ref name="Harris-147" /> || 1190 || 75–80 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1912 || U<ref name="Lewis1-97" /><ref name="Harris-148" /> || 1198 || 81–92 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || || 92 at [[Didcot Railway Centre]], used with the steam railmotor
|-
| 1913 || Q<ref name="Harris-148" /> || 1224 || 93–95 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1913 || R<ref name="Harris-148" /> || 1225 || 96–98 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1915 || Z || — || 99–104 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 3–8 ||
|-
| 1917 || A6 || — || 105, 106 || {{convert|57|ft|0+3/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 1, 2 ||
|-
| 1916–19 || A7 || — || 107–112 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 9–14 ||
|-
| 1919–20 || A9 || — || 113–124 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 17–28 ||
|-
| 1920–23 || A10 || — || 125, 128–133 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 29, 32, 31, 33–36 ||
|-
| 1920 || A13 || — || 126 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 59 ||
|-
| 1920 || A14 || — || 127 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 60 ||
|-
| 1923 || A15 || — || 136, 137 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 46, 47 ||
|-
| 1923 || A17 || — || 134 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 43 ||
|-
| 1923 || A18 || — || 135 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 44 ||
|-
| 1923 || A19 || — || 138–140 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 50–52 ||
|-
| 1928 || A23 || — || 146 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 38 ||
|-
| 1928 || A24 || — || 147 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 41 ||
|-
| 1928 || A25 || — || 148 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 45 ||
|-
| 1928 || A26 || — || 149 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 57 ||
|-
| 1928 || A29 || — || 150–153 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 61, 63, 67, 68 ||
|-
| 1928 || A26 || — || 154–157 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 85, 87, 89, 90 ||
|-
| 1928 || A26 || — || 158 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 99 ||
|-
| 1929 || A27<ref name="Harris-151">{{harvnb|Harris|1966|pages=151–152}}</ref> || 1394 || 159–170 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || || 163 at the [[South Devon Railway Trust|South Devon Railway]]<BR>167 at the [[Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway]]<BR>169 at the [[West Somerset Railway]]
|-
| 1930 || A28<ref name="Harris-151" /> || 1410 || 171–180 || {{convert|62|ft|8|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || || 174 at the Llangollen Railway<BR>178 at the [[Severn Valley Railway]]
|-
| 1930 || A26<ref name="Harris-151" /> || 1432 || 181–185 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 54, 56, 84, 95, 94 ||
|-
| 1930 || A29<ref name="Harris-151" /> || 1432 || 186 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 62 ||
|-
| 1933 || A33<ref name="Harris-153">{{harvnb|Harris|1966|pages=153–156}}</ref> || 1480 || 187–196 || {{convert|62|ft|8|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || || 190 at the Didcot Railway Centre
|-
| 1934 || A23<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1511 || 197, 198 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 39, 40 ||
|-
| 1934 || A26<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1511 || 199, 200, 206 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 53, 58, 86 ||
|-
| 1934 || A29<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1511 || 201 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 69 ||
|-
| 1934 || A31<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1511 || 202–205 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 73, 74, 82, 83 ||
|-
| 1935 || A31<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1521 || 207–209 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 75, 78, 79 ||
|-
| 1936 || A26<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1542 || 210, 212–215 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 91, 93, 96–98 || 212 restored as a [[GWR steam rail motors|steam railmotor]] at the Didcot Railway Centre
|-
| 1936 || A31<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1542 || 211 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 81 ||
|-
| 1936 || A29<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1545 || 216–218 || {{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotors 64, 66, 72 ||
|-
| 1936 || A31<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1542 || 219 || {{convert|59|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Rebuilt from railmotor 76 ||
|-
| 1938 || A34<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1600 || 1668–1671 || {{convert|57|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || Auto-fitted Brake Thirds ||
|-
| 1951 || A38<ref name="Harris-151" /> || 1736 || 222–234 || {{convert|64|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || 232 was modified as a first class saloon on the [[Dartmouth Steam Railway]]<BR>233 was modified as a test coach by British Rail (see below) ||225, 228 and 233 at the South Devon Railway<BR>231 at the Didcot Railway Centre<BR>232 at the [[Bodmin and Wenford Railway]]
|-
| 1951 || A39<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1736 || 220 || {{convert|64|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1951 || A40<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1736 || 221 || {{convert|64|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || ||
|-
| 1953 || A43<ref name="Harris-153" /> || 1766 || 235–244 || {{convert|64|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || || 238 ''Chaffinch'' on the Severn Valley Railway<BR>240 on the South Devon Railway
|-
| 1953 || A44 || — || 245–256 ||  || Rebuilt from Brake Thirds 5491/95, 4015/16/05/19, 4343, 5871, 4358, 5875, 4351/45 ||
|}

==Auto-fitted locomotives==
Several Great Western locomotive classes included examples equipped to work in autotrains at different times. These included:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Type
! Total {{nowrap|auto-fitted}}
! Introduced
! Preserved examples
! Comments
|-
| [[GWR 455 Class|455 Class]] 2-4-0T
| <span style="display:none">40</span>About 40
| 1869
| –
| Some fitted with auto gear after 1905<ref name="GWS">{{cite book |last1=Veal |first1=Colin |last2=Goodman |first2=John |date=1981 |title=Auto-Trains and Steam Rail Motors of the Great Western |publisher=Great Western Society |location=Didcot |isbn=0-902956-06-X }}</ref>
|-
| [[GWR 517 Class|517 Class]] 0-4-2T
| 86
| 1868
| –
| Some fitted with auto gear after 1905<ref name="GWS" />
|-
| [[GWR 645 Class|645 Class]] 0-6-0PT
| 1
| 1872
| -
| No. 1522 fitted in April 1931; withdrawn November 1937<ref name="Pannier Tank Classes">{{cite book |last=Maidment |first=David |date=2019 |title=Great Western Panniers |publisher=Pen & Sword Books Limited|isbn=978-1-52673-451-8}}</ref><ref>{{RCTS-LocosGWR-5 |pages=E37, E39 }}</ref>
|-
| [[GWR 1076 Class|1076 Class]] 0-6-0ST/PT
| 21
| 1870
| –
| Some fitted with auto gear after 1905<ref name="GWS" />
|-
| [[GWR 1854 Class|1854 Class]] 0-6-0PT
| 1
| 1890
| -
| No. 1728 auto-fitted at some point in the 1920s; withdrawn February 1932<ref name="Pannier Tank Classes" />{{sfn|le Fleming|1958|pp=E64, E66}}
|-
| [[GWR 2021 Class|2021 Class]] 0-6-0ST/PT
| 27
| 1897
| -
| Some fitted with auto gear after 1905<ref name="GWS" />
|-
| [[GWR 4575 Class|4575 Class]] 2-6-2T
| 15
| 1927
| 5572
| Certain locomotives of this class fitted with auto gear in 1953<ref name="GWS" />
|-
| [[GWR 1400 Class|4800 Class]] 0-4-2T
| 75
| 1932
| 1420, 1442, 1450, 1466
| Auto-fitted version of [[GWR 5800 Class|5800 Class]] later renumbered as 1400 Class<ref name="GWS" />
|-
| [[GWR 5400 Class|5400 Class]] 0-6-0PT
| 25
| 1930
| –
| All auto-fitted<ref name="GWS" />
|-
| [[GWR 6400 Class|6400 Class]] 0-6-0PT
| 40
| 1932
| 6412, 6430, 6435
| Smaller wheel version of 5400 Class, all auto-fitted<ref name="GWS" />
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Lewis |first=John |date=2004 |title=Great Western Steam Railmotors: and their services |publisher=Wild Swan Publications |isbn=1-874103-96-8 }}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.163autocoach.co.uk/history.htm |title=GW Autocoach 163 – History and Specifications |website=163Autocoach.co.uk |publisher=GWR Autocoach 163 Trust |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902203831/http://www.163autocoach.co.uk/history.htm |archive-date=2 September 2011 }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|GWR autocoaches}}
* [http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/pixpage3.cgi?h=The%20Rebuilding%20of%20GWR%20Auto%20Trailer%20no%20169&t=169pix West Somerset Railway – Photo gallery: Restoration of autocoach no 169] – includes many pictures of the innards of an autocoach

{{Great Western Railway}}
[[Category:Great Western Railway coaching stock|Autocoach]]