No 1941 - Dean Third

One of the second largest diagram of coaches the GWR ever built this vehicle represents the third stage of carriage development on the GWR, from the broad gauge papier-mâché bodies through the short 30ft coaches to the larger Dean bogie carriages being built in the last ten years of the 19th century. This coach is 46ft long, has 8 compartments seating 10 passengers in each. Lighting was by gas provided from tanks under the coach chassis. There is no provision for a corridor and no provision for any lavatory. The gas lamps were tall and to provide space in the compartments the central section of the roof was raised forming what is known as a clerestory roof, so keeping the lamp clear of the passengers' heads. The carriage is mounted on Dean centreless bogies, which are supported at the corners of the frames and not in the centre as is normal. In 1901 it cost £812.0s.0d to build.

Introduced in the 1890s they replaced earlier coaches and being built in hundreds with many variations, they formed the basic coaches until newer designs appeared in the first decade of the 20th century.

Some of these carriages lasted in passenger use until the late 1950s, following which a few spent further time as departmental coaches.

No. 1941 was converted to incandescent gas lighting in 1912.  The coach was converted to workmans use in 1938, being painted in a plain brown livery. It was withdrawn in May 1945 and became engineering mess and travelling van No 14198.  

It was discovered by preservationists at Newport (Gwent) in a marshalling yard, and after purchase was moved to Canton Depot for work to continue. It now boasts a full complement of 8 fully restored compartments, completely reupholstered in ‘Brown and White star’ moquette from the early 1900s.

This in its day was the standard third class coach, now it is one of only two in existence. The other, No. 1357, is awaiting restoration here at Didcot.

Status

Operational

Build date

1901

Built at

Swindon

Original railway

GWR

Lot Number

962

Diag No

C.10

Length

46’ 6.75”

Date Preserved

1964

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