Last April (was it really a year ago?) I remarked that there was a dearth of information for GNR close-coupled 4-wheel suburban coaching stock suitable for Basilica Fields. Despite my recent lack of updates to the blog due to ongoing events, progress on Basilica Fields continues to be made – albeit (mostly) not by me!
Late last year I made a couple of contacts through the GNR Society, and my subsequent bombardment of questions led to an interesting flurry of emails, and, although the situation is still not totally clear at present, it looks as though a big step has been made towards eventually facilitating the building of necessary stock required for those services, and the acquisition of some drawings.
Graham Beare has also been hard at work scouring accident reports instigated by the Board of Trade, and sending me relevant information, the best of which, so far, divulges the classification and running numbers of a twelve carriage close-coupled set running between Potters Bar and Kings Cross in 1898.
So, for the record, hauled by 120 Class No.515, the train in question consisted of :
Brake 3rd no.248, 3rd no.1636, 2nd no.1512, 2nd no.1511, 2nd no.1508, 1st no.1534, 1st no.1443, 2nd no.319, 2nd no.1323, 3rd no.1499, 3rd no.1505, Brake 3rd no.399.
Sounds very useful, but not for the first time while delving into the archives for Basilica Fields has an official document contradicted generally approved history; I understand (I’m no GNR historian) that it is usually accepted that the GNR quickly followed the Midland Railway’s lead in the mid 1870s by abolishing 2nd class. However, not only here, both other BoT reports clearly list second class carriages involved in accidents in the London suburban area. No doubt there is a rational explanation…
The photo is of a third class suburban close-coupled ‘Metropolitan’ carriage, no.903, designed by Howlden and built in 1900. These ‘Metropolitan’ carriages were 9′ wide (to cram the hapless commuter in), with half-height compartments and 3″ recessed doors to maintain the lading gauge. Sister carriage no.902, as part of a Muswell Hill – Kings Cross train was involved in a collision at Finsbury Park in 1907.
Of course it’s entirely possible the carriages listed in the 1898 accident are not of the Metropolitan type, and are therefore a red herring. Further updates on these will appear as and when more information comes to light.
June 18, 2011 at 7:37 pm
The GNR did not abolish second class for London suburban trains. There were still 2nd class accomodations in the Quad articuated carriages built by the GNR in the early 1920’s
Best regards,
Reid Harding
June 18, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Thank you Reid, that’s the rational explanation I was looking for!
Any further light, however seemingly trivial, on the GN 4-wheelers would be much appreciated.
June 18, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Just a thought on this subject…. Adrian has written that I have been scouring the BoT accident reports which are available on The Railway Archives website, that is true and not quite so. What I have done is to read all of those available reports which appear to have some relevance to the History of Basilica Fields, At the moment “relevance” means that a report is dated pre-1910… and refers to a railway company which worked over the Widened Lines… and refers to a location which might have seen a Widened LIne service (goods or passenger).
As I am not knowledgeable on GNR matters I will be very pleased to receive any information on the origin / destination of those GNR passenger services, over the widened lines, which used the four wheel coaches (above).
Thank you, Graham Beare
July 4, 2012 at 8:19 pm
As ever, very interesting! Did you manage to find out when these unusual long six compartment four wheelers were first built, and/or how long that they were?
July 8, 2012 at 1:38 am
Not yet. It’s one of those areas that needs following up.
I’ve just relieved Chris Basten of Dragon Models of a vast quantity of his last remaining GNR monogram transfers for the rake, so collating more information is definitely on the ‘to do’ list.
It’s a long list.
July 8, 2012 at 11:13 am
I am very familiar with long to-do lists. I have subscribed to the ‘blog, and shall look forward to any research/modelling updates!
June 21, 2018 at 12:51 am
Potters Bar, accident May 3rd 1898
Just found this post and looked them up. Sorry it took seven years before I noticed!
Brake 3rd no.248, diagram 455
3rd no.1636, diagram 445
2nd no.1512, diagram 417
2nd no.1511, diagram 417
2nd no.1508, diagram 417
1st no.1534, diagram 402
1st no.1443, diagram 402
2nd no.319, diagram 445 (version 1) is a 3rd by 1906, same dimensions as diagram 417
2nd no.1323, diagram 415
3rd no.1499, diagram 445
3rd no.1505, diagram 445
Brake 3rd no.399. diagram 455
All vehicles had four wheels.
The vehicle illustrated, 903 is diagram 441, had recessed doors to allow maximum usage of the loading gauge, built 1900.