This historic Great Western Railway vehicle is currently being restored under the management of
Latest News UPDATED 17/11/2011Visitors to this site will have noticed the lack of recent updates for which we appologise. To enable a quick update
I have entered below details of progress, of which there has been much, as a 'cut and pasted' summary of recent
contributions to the WSR's internal newsletter 'On Line' I hope this will serve as a temporary measure until
we have more time to update these pages when not working actively on our projects
April 2011
A very successful Spring Gala saw many visitors to our display at Williton with lots of interest in our project. A good sum was raised for funds boosted
by the generous donations of good quality and historic railway items. Thank you. Progress continues in all areas with the Drivers end bogie almost
complete and just awaiting an inspection by our engineer prior to refitting. Wood shavings are being created by the bag load both at Williton and at our specialist
wood turning depot where seat legs and spindles are in bulk production by one of our (I suspect) more senior active volunteers.
June 2011
Despite a few Bank Holiday weekends recently we have still made some good progress, with recent attention turned to some trial assembly of the flooring
sections at the driving end of the carriage. To enable this we have had to join the first two main side timbers using long bolts with tapered heads screwed
through the scarfed joints into threaded holes in a galvanised steel plate. Once the process was mastered we made steady progress and completed
both sides in a day. We are now ready to sort out drilling the timbers and fitting them to the chassis. Other work has continued on the chassis trial fitting
some of the auto operating support brackets. Wood work progresses in our workshop with work on sides, door and seat components. Some of the roof
timbers steamed during the latter part of last year have received the attention of our 'Glue Guru' and we now have 4 completed with a further 4 to finish.
Then just a further 6 sets to bend and glue at some stage. Off site our turner continues to make steady progress with about half of the seat legs completed.
We hope to have the front of the cab completed later in the year and will be looking to purchase the first of the required glass. At present we are
'holding our breath' on the cost of such glass and would be pleased to hear of any suitable suppliers or any willing sponsors!
August 2011
Since the last report progress has continued in all areas with the trial fitting and drilling of the main timbers and frame to accept the bolts that hold the carriage
body to the chassis. The process of ensuring the body sits central on the frames is quite involved especially when trying to use a mix of original and new parts.
After almost 2 days of deliberation we (I) came to the conclusion that the original body was possibly half an inch 'lopsided'. The 'midweek' gang, who number
8 workers on some days, have managed to liberate the 'luggage end' bogie to allow that to be given the the clean down and repaint treatment over the next
few months. This also shows no obvious signs of needing any major attention at this stage.
In the joinery shop the wooden construction of second cab door has now reached completion until trial fitting can take place. Other fine tuning work continues
on the front saloon section and we shall soon be turning our attention to the driving cab windows. News from Chard is that Laurie believes he can complete
the last(40th) of the turned seat legs before disappearing completely under a sea of shavings! One small wood turning job required on the loco,
and he can then put his feet up.
October 2011
Work on 169 continues steadily with the Luggage End bogie now nearing completion and should be refitted soon. The joinery side also make steady progress
although we are a little disappointed that we were unable to get some of the bodywork assembled for public show during the Autumn Gala (although where we
would have been located it might have been another logistics nightmare). However, we have run another successful fund raising weekend in the Williton yard
and our thanks to Ray and team for allowing us space and the 'Gods' for at last allowing the sun to shine on a WSR Gala . A donation of a large quantity of tools
and timber has topped up our supplies and we now have a quantity of surplus hand tools, including carving and turning chisels of all sizes and vintage wooden
planes of various and interesting types. If anyone is interested in that side of carpentry or wants something to restore and perhaps put on display,
please get in touch as I'm sure we can supply something suitable for a small donation to our funds.
November 2011
Work continues on the Luggage end Bogie which is now virtually completed and refitted. Some joinery work continues also although progress has temporarily
slowed to allow us to concentrate on getting the major work on the loco boiler to get fully underway.
Many thanks to all our visitors to Williton over the Spring Gala weekends.
There were many interesting discussions and a goodly sum was raised for our funds
March 2011 update . Work on the Drivers End bogie has progressed well and
the pictures below show the bogie repaint nearing completion
Above Bogie cleaned and almost completed Pictures Copyright John Wood Above Axlebox cover, Anyone know what the 161 No means?
March 2011 Following a long wait the chassis of our carriage finally returned to the Williton shed in late January.
Advantage of the limited stay was immediately taken when the drivers end bogie was removed to allow it to be fully
cleaned and repainted. With work being undertaken on up to 3 days each week by an enlarged workforce good progress
is being made and because there is no major engineering work required we hope to have it ready to refit either before
or just after the WSR Spring Gala.
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Top 4 Images copyright Brian Hart
Above images Copyright Ian Grady
Meanwhile in the joinery shop progress is being made on the main bodywork and also production of seating components
Above images copyright John Wood
January 2011 The first work of the New Year saw the final major components thicknessed down to finished size
and the 'attenton to detail' of the first section of the side of the coach is now nearing completion.
All moulding around windows and toplights is now finished and the 'infill' panels are fitted.
The picture below shows the latest situation with toplight window frames also in situ.
December 2010 Work continues with 'attention to detail' on the sections lined up for assembly once the chassis is in an accessible place
and the bogie repaint has occurred. Production on some replacement seat components has started which will be useful later
August 2010 The last few months have seen us continue to make good progress with our project with
work being undertaken in two main areas. Firstly the remainder of the outstanding work on the carriage
frames is being completed at Bishops Lydeard with work underway on 2 days each week resulting
in the completion of the outstanding stripping and repainting now nearing completion.
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(Images Brian Hart)
At our Williton Workshop we have progressed from our trial bending of timber for the
replacement roof hoops and to date have now produced 3 sets of steamed timber laminates
and sucessfully glued 2 of them. We plan to make another 4 sets and assemble them before
the colder winter weather which precludes the use of the temperature sensitive specialist glue.
During the Spring and Summer months we have been undertaking an exercise to ensure we
have the capabilities to produce the replacement parts that we have not yet attempted
and we are pleased to report that we have sucessfully produced Door, Window and Seat
components and we feel confident that we are unlikely to find any area of the project that we
cannot handle 'In House' . Negotiations continue to return the chassis to Williton as some stage
in the not to distant future and when that happens we want to be in the position to begin
reconstruction of some of the first section of body work. To this end, we are now turning our
attention to sorting the finer points of reassembly of the main wooden components and revisiting
some areas that from experience learned during the restoration, can now be improved upon.
For more details and information about helping our project
please visit our dedicated Appeal site by clicking HERE .
5542 with Sister Autocoach 178
The restoration of Great Western Railway Autotrailer No 169 is progressing well and we invite you
to become a memberof this exciting restoration project . (See below)
Wanted Do you have any surplus Transport related Books, DVDs etc. We would welcome your donations of suitable items for resale.
Please contact us to arrange delivery/local collection by clicking here The sale of these items raise valuable funds to help the restoration
program so please look out those unwanted items.
We are always on the lookout for items relating to GWR Autotrailers and associated fittings along with Right Hand Door Handles and
external grab handles. We do have some surplus Left Hand door handles so please contact us if you need some or possibly want to swop.
Suitable tools and equipment to help in the rebuilding process are always welcome but do need to be fairly modern and in good working order
to conform with current legislation. Good quality hardwood or reasonable sized 'offcuts' along with any carpentry hand tools are always useful
as are surplus brass or Stainless Steel woodscrews. Use the above link to contact us if you think you have items of use to us.
Do you know of any photographs of GWR/BR Autotrailers (particularly 169) taken whilst they were in service?
Please let us know if you have any we may add to this site or add to a list of links.
Inside Autocoach 225
Regular work on 169 usually takes place on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Williton workshop . All help is most welcome,
and should you like to assist with our project please come along from about 10am. If you are travelling any distance, or it is you first
visit please e-mail 2-3 days beforehand to confirm details. The work site is not open to the public so any visits must be by prior arrangement.
Follow the Link above to see a gallery of photographs of the restoration
of Auto169 hosted by Steve Edge
WHY NOT BECOME A MEMBER ?
Whilst we are aware that the project to rebuild 169 is no small task, we are confident that we can
source the necessary skills, funds and manpower to ensure a successful outcome. We are keen to
hear from anyone who wishes to assist the project in any way.
Members :
All financial support is most welcome and a Members program is offered at 3 levels of contribution,
· Gold £500 · Silver £250 · Bronze £125
Contributions can be outright or by Standing Order
from just £5 per month . Other donations of funds or articles for resale are welcome.
All donations of £20 or more will receive a 'Certificate of Thanks' and become a 'Friend of 169'.
For further details of this exciting project please E-Mail for more information. We have already sourced
a number of missing parts and received an excellent response to the project .
However additional funds are still required to ensure our excellent progress continues.
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS PROJECT TO RESTORE THIS HISTORIC G.W.R. CARRIAGE FOR REGULAR USE
Sponsorship :
We are looking for sponsors. We have a sponsor for window glass, would you or your company
like to sponsor part of an historic railway coach? We need a supply of oak for repairs to the framework.
We need screws by the hundred; We need hardboard, panelling, flooring, light fittings, seats and upholstery.
Can you help?
For more details and information about helping our project
please visit our dedicated Appeal site by clicking HERE .
Built Swindon Diagram A27 Lot 1349 delivered January 1929.
59 ft 6 in over body ends 12 ft. 3 in. Rail to roof
Bogies Collett 7 ft wheelbase heavy duty
Seats 72 ( including 8 emergency ones in luggage compartment).
Repainted cream, brown and gold livery Sept 1931
Handles altered corner pillars cut back Dec 1932
End windows painted black Feb 1935
ATC fitted (date not known?)
All brown livery with orange stripe by 1943 until at least 1948.
End window plated over after 1948.Ran regularly with trailer 170.
Worked regularly from the following locations; Merthyr, Aberdare, Cardiff, Nelson, Caerphilly, and Gloucester.
Cond. Nov 1961, To service stock as no. 064749 Dec 1961 Gloucester loco. Cond. ( again!) by 1982.
Further dimensions;
Drivers compartment 3 ft. 9 in deep, Smoking saloon 33 ft. 5 in.
Passengers vestibule 3 ft. 9 in. sliding door to sliding door.
Non smoking saloon 10 ft. 11 ½ in. long. Luggage compartment 6ft, 6 ¾ in. deep.
Please Contact: Autotrailer 169, 14 Luttrell Close Taunton TA2 8SA for further details or to make a contribution
