GWR 42272 'Loriot L' Machinery Truck

GWR 42272 'Loriot L' Machinery Truck
GWR 42272 20160806.jpg
GWR 42272 'Loriot L' Machinery Truck
Built By GWR Swindon
Status Operational
Number 42272
Other Numbers DW 42272
History
Built 1934
Diagram G13
Lot 1142
Type 4-wheel machinery flat
Capacity 15 tons
Telegraphic code LORIOT L
TOPS code XLO
1982 Arrived on the SVR
1985 GWR 150 main line appearance

Goods Wagons

GWR 42272 is a LORIOT L machine truck. The GWR telegraphic code LORIOT[note 1] was first introduced in the nineteenth century. Some of the earliest LORIOTs appeared flat in profile with ramps hidden behind the side walls, but by the time the Wagon index was drawn up around 1905 the term was used to denote a wagon with a pronounced well and sloping ramps on the ends to assist with loading and unloading the vehicle. The wagons, typically with a 10-ton to 20-ton capacity, 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.[1]

A number of different designs of LORIOT were built, with the SVR being home to four examples:

  • LORIOT D 42138 (15-ton capacity, Diagram G18 of 1907-9)
  • GWR 42272 'Loriot L' Machinery Truck (15-ton capacity, Diagram G13 of 1934)
  • LORIOT Y 41990 (25-ton capacity, Diagram G39 of 1939)
  • LORIOT N 42343 (20-ton capacity, Diagram G40 of 1944)

Within the GWR Wagon Diagram series, the G index originally included only wagons for moving large road vehicles and agricultural machinery. As well as the LORIOTs, it also included HYDRAs and SERPENTs, with wagons for moving motor cars such as the MOGO being added at a later date.

Contents

Service

A total of seven LORIOT Ls were built at Swindon between 1926 and 1934 to Diagram G13, with 42272 being one of four in Lot 1142 of 1934. The G13 design was rated at the same 15-ton capacity as the earlier Diagram G18 of 1907-09[note 2] and had the same 15ft well length. However the overall length had increased by 9ft to 35ft 3in over the headstocks, while the ramp side-frames now blended into the well in a continuous curve.[1]

Preservation

The type LORIOT L's useful features such as its outside frames and deep well resulted in their surviving well into the BR era.[2] 42272 ended its working life in Departmental use at Reading. It was acquired for preservation in 1981[3] and was delivered by rail in February 1982, being finish painted on arrival at the Stourport line siding before being completing the move to Bewdley,[4] then the SVR's southern terminus.

In 1985, 42272 appeared on the main line when it was one of the 25 SVR wagons used in the GW 150 demonstration freight train which ran to Newport behind GWR freight loco 2857.[5]

After several years in use as one of the SVR's 'engineering vehicles', 42272 was moved to Bewdley in 1988 for the wagons' floor to be replaced.[6] The job was planned to be completed in a single week at Whitsun, but the strip down revealed major rust damage to the steel plates supporting the floor at each end and also to some of the structural steelwork within the well. The frames had welded patches inserted where necessary, while the steel plates at each end were replaced. New Keruing floor planks were then fitted, with the new floor being raised slightly within the well so that the P.Way Dept. would not need to line the well with old rotten sleepers, which in turn reduced the life expectancy of the floor. Completion of the work coincided with a period of bad weather during December which threated to delay the final painting and lettering and consequently the return of the wagon to the P.Way department in time for the winter relaying. Fortunately Gary Walker agreed to make the Kidderminster Goods Shed available for the repainting and also had it raised on jacks there to speed the process.[7] With the overhaul completed, 42272 returned to P.Way duty.

In November 2005 the opportunity finally arose to get 42272 over a pit and resolve a long-standing problem which had existed ever since the wagon's arrival. The LORIOT L has 'Dean-Churchward' ratchet type handbrakes which work independently on each axle, being recognisable by the short brake handle with a looped end and a circular disc behind it. In theory the handbrake can be fully applied by hand without the use of a brake stick.[note 3] However the Kidderminster end brake would frequently run off the bottom of the ratchet, possibly due to the use of excessive force, resulting in no brakes. Adjustment of the brakes on a LORIOT is difficult without access to a pit and the condition had persisted despite the best attempts of the [[[Bewdley Carriage & Wagon Department | Carriage and Wagon department]]|Wagon Group]] to fix them. Following repair, the Wagon Department noted that 42272 "... now has a good brake effective a third of the way down the ratchet, and if the fault occurs again, it can only be due to extreme force being applied at the handle. Shunters and P-Way men beware, we will be watching you!"[8]

42272 is operational and is owned by The GWR 813 Preservation Fund.

See also

Notes

  1. Loriot is an alternative name of French origin for the golden oriole, a type of bird. It is not clear why the GWR chose it to describe a type of wagon.
  2. Some low numbers in the G index were reused after grouping, hence Diagram G13 (LORIOT L of 1934) came after G18 (LORIOT D of 1907-9)
  3. The general appendix makes specific reference to brake sticks and the like not being used with these brakes.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Atkins, Beard & Tourret (2013) pp. 18-19, 148-160.
  2. SVR Stock Book 9th edition
  3. gwr813.org
  4. SVR News 66
  5. SVR News 78
  6. SVR News 88
  7. SVR News 90, 92
  8. SVR News 152

Links

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Welcome to the Severn Valley Railway Wiki

From this week's featured article
Trimpley Reservoir can be seen to the west of the line between Bewdley and Arley. The reservoir, which is managed by Severn Trent Water, was opened in 1968 and covers 29 acres. It is open to the public and is used by the Trimpley Sailing Club, while other activities include angling, wildlife watching and walking. (Full article...)
Schematic Map of the SVRSevern Valley Railway
BridgnorthEardingtonHampton LoadeCountry Park HaltHighleyThe Engine HouseArleyVictoria BridgeNorthwood HaltWyre Forest LineBewdleyStourport BranchBewdley TunnelConnection to Network RailKidderminsterMaps#Schematic maps of the pre-closure SVRMapandlinks.png
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For 101 years between 1862 and 1963, the Severn Valley Railway formed part of the national railway network, running for 40 miles between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. Established as a separate company, it was mainly operated by the Great Western Railway (GWRGreat Western Railway) and later by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways).

The present day Severn Valley Railway (SVRSevern Valley Railway) was established in 1965 to preserve part of the line as a heritage railway. Today it has six stations and two halts and runs for 16 miles along the Severn Valley between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Operations involve a mixture of steam and heritage diesel-hauled services.

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For timetables, fare information, and news about special events, please visit the SVR Official Website. Other news and information of interest to members, shareholders and enthusiasts can be found on SVRLive.

In April 2023 the SVRSevern Valley Railway announced the launch of a Survival Fund to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Survival Fund page.

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