View source for GWR 41990 'Loriot Y' Machinery Truck

{{Infobox wagon
|image      = GWR_41990_20210417.jpg
|caption    = GWR 41990 'LORIOT Y' at Highley in 2021
|construc   = GWR Swindon
|status     = Operational
|wagno      = 41990
|othernos   = 
|designed   = 
|diagram    = G39
|lot        = 1247
|wagtype    = 4-wheel machinery flat
|capacity   = 25 tons
|telcode    = LORIOT Y
|topscode   = 
|brakes     = DCII, non-Vac fitted
|built      = 1939
|years1     = 1994
|events1    = Preserved on SVR
|years2     = 
|events2    = 
|years3     = 
|events3    = 
}}'''GWR 41990''' is a '''LORIOT Y''' Machinery Truck. The GWR telegraphic code LORIOT was first introduced in the nineteenth century and denoted a well wagon, typically with a 10 to 20 ton capacity. The wagons were normally described using terms such as 'machine trucks', intended for transporting large road vehicles such as traction engines, or 'agricultural implement wagons' intended for moving other large vehicles such as agricultural machinery and similar.  The LORIOT's well incorporated sloping ramps at each end to assist with loading and unloading the vehicle.<ref name=ABT>[[Bibliography#Other References|Atkins, Beard & Tourret (2013)]] pp. 19, 152-160.</ref> A number of different designs of LORIOT were built before 1930, with the SVR also being home to three other examples, [[GWR 42138 'Loriot D' Machinery Truck|LORIOT D 42138]], [[GWR 42272 'Loriot L' Machinery Truck|LORIOT L 42272]] and [[GWR 42343 Machinery Flat|LORIOT N 42343]].

In 1931 the GWR build two LORIOT Ws to Diagram G27, primarily intended to transport engineering excavators and the like. These were unlike the previous versions, having very low, wide wells and no end ramps. Another two were ordered in 1937 as Lot 1247, originally to the same diagram and intended for the same purpose. However they were constructed very differently and were therefore given their own description of LORIOT Y and Diagram number, G39. While both types had a 20ft well, the LORIOT Y used built up I-beam girders rather than rolled beams and end axle guard plates, and had a 26ft wheelbase and 32ft over the headstocks, an increase of 1ft in both cases. It was also rated at 25 tons rather than 20 tons. The first, 41989 was built in 1937 while 41990 was built in 1939<ref name=ABT/>.  

The LORIOT Ys were labelled "''Empty to Swindon''" on the sides, while the ends carried the legend "''Where possible this vehicle must be marshalled in the rear of the train and GREAT CARE TAKEN WHEN SHUNTING.''" They were fitted with self-contained large buffers and had separate DCII brake systems at each end. 

==Service and preservation==
Having been built just before the Second World War, the LORIOT Y's were used for transporting the company bulldozers which no doubt saw much use during the wartime bombing. 41990's service with BR ended with an extended period spent at the Engineers' Yard at Radyr, lasting into the 1990s before the lack of vacuum braking ended its usefulness. It was moved to Bescot, from where it was saved in 1994 on the day of being dispatched for scrapping by the intervention of a group of interested railwaymen. This allowed negotiations for its sale into preservation to take place, with 41990 arriving at Bewdley on 18 September 1994.<ref Name = "SVR9">SVR Stock Book 9th Edition</ref>

Following its arrival, 41990 was found to have a crack in one headstock through the drawbar mounting. After investigation, Steve Peplow noted in SVR news that "''I will no doubt get lynched for my next comment, but it has to be said that the LORIOT Y is not one of the GWR's better designs, and I am only surprised that both headstocks do not have the same fault. In order to cram the brake ratchet into the end of the wagon, the bottom leg of the channel section has a cut out in it, at precisely the point where it needs to be strongest, below the drawhook hole. The condition of this in use will need to be monitored, with possible strengthening at a later stage if required.''"  A welding repair was duly carried out and the wagon repainted.<ref>SVR News 113/114</ref>

41990 is owned by [[The GWR 813 Preservation Fund]]. Since arrival in 1994 it has been used to carry locomotive boilers and frames as well as P.W. materials, one of the first loads carried appropriately being the tank and boiler from the Fund's locomotive [[GWR 813 Saddle Tank|GWR 813]] during its major overhaul in 1996.<ref>SVR News 123</ref>
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
GWR 41990 'Loriot Y' Machinery Truck.jpg|41990 at Kidderminster in 2013 (Gareth Price)
</gallery>

===Sister vehicle 41989===
The sister vehicle to 41990, 41989, featured in the 1953 film "The Titfield Thunderbolt".<ref>[http://www.gwr813.org/gwr813newsletter_B1.htm gwr813.org]</ref><ref>A history of GWR goods wagons. A G Atkins, W Beard, D J Hyde, R Tourret. 1986. ISBN 0-7153-8725-1</ref> It was subsequently scrapped<ref Name = "SVR9" />, leaving 41990 as the only surviving LORIOT Y<ref>Railway Heritage Register Wagon Survey</ref>.

===Loriot===
The word Loriot is the French term for the family of birds known as Orioles. This is presumably the origin of the GWR telegraphic code used for this type of well wagon (a group of Diagram J flat wagons are named 'MACAW' after another bird), although the other early diagram G wagons were the HYDRA ('road vehicle wagons' or 'tramcar trucks') and SERPENT (horse drawn furniture van trucks etc.).

==See also==
*[[Goods Wagons | List of goods wagons]]
*[[Models of the Severn Valley Railway]]

==References==
<references />

==Links==
*[http://www.gwr813.org/pagew67.html 41990 on www.gwr813.org]<br>
*[http://www.ws.rhrp.org.uk/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=9644 41990 on Railway Heritage Register On-Line]

[[Category: Rolling stock owned by The GWR 813 Preservation Fund]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]