GWR Coaching Stock and Wagon Diagrams

GWR Wagon Diagram AA15, 20 Ton 'Toad' brake van, August 1918

GWR Diagram codes were introduced by George Jackson Churchward to allow easy reference to different types of coaching stock. The Diagram Code for each type consisted of one or two letters which represented the general category, and a number which denoted particular design of that type, such as A28 or DD3.. The Diagram Index for wagons was first prepared circa 1905, followed by a similar index for carriages around 1910.

The numbering schemes used for coaching stock and wagons ran in parallel, so the same codes appeared in both. Thus on the SVR, Siphon G 1257 was built to Coaching Stock diagram O11 while 5-plank Open Wagon 13154 was built to Wagon diagram O11. The GWR Diagram Book which listed the diagrams typically allocated a page for each diagram which showed its major dimensions and characteristics.

Coaches and Wagons (and also locomotives and tenders) were generally built in batches known as Lots, with each lot number being allocated in sequence when ordered. The four groups of Lot numbers also ran in parallel. Some designs which pre-dated the introduction of Diagram Codes were never allocated Diagram codes even if construction continued after that time and were identified by their 'old series' Lot number. SVR examples include GWR 41277 of 1890.

Other railway companies used broadly similar systems of Diagrams and Lots, although using different combinations of letters and numbers.

Contents

Coaching stock diagrams

The table below shows the letters allocated to each category and the examples currently resident on the SVR.

Diagram	Description	SVR Examples	Notes
A	Bogie first class	178, 238
B	Bogie second class
C	Bogie third class	829, 1086, 1087, 1116, 1146, 2119, 2426, 3930, 4786
D	Bogie brake third	650, 2233, 2242 5804, 5883
E	Bogie composite and Brake composite	6045, 6562, 6913, 7284
F	Slip coach
G	Saloon	9055, 9103, 9369
H	Catering vehicle	9581, 9615, 9627, 9653, 9654
J	Sleeping car	9084, 9085
K	Passenger brake van	98, 261, 1145
L	Mail van
M	Bogie parcels van (and similar)
N	Horse box
O	Milk van / tank	1257, 1399, 2926
P	Carriage truck
Q	Inspection saloon	80969, 80972
R	4-wheeled first class
S	4-wheeled third class
T	4-wheeled brake third
U	4-wheeled composite / brake composite
V	4-wheeled brake van
W	Parcels and Miscellaneous van

Wagon diagrams

The table below shows the letters allocated to each category and the examples currently resident on the SVR.

Diagram	Description	SVR Examples	Notes
A	Girder Wagons		Articulated wagons for boilers, guns, bridge girders etc.
B	Armour plate and roll wagons
C	Boiler trucks and trolleys
D	Plate glass wagons
E	Wheel and propeller wagons
F	Steam roller trucks
G	Road vehicles	41990, 42138, 42272, 42343, 65801	Flat and well wagons to carry large road vehicles, covered trucks for motor cars etc.
H	Flat wagons	39860
J	Rail and timber wagons	60841, 107291
K	Crane testing wagons
L	Match trucks		Where built for that purpose. Often adapted from other Diagrams, such as 2501
M	Shunters trucks	41736
N	Coal and mineral wagons	83831
O	Open merchandise wagons	2504, 13154, 25190, 94059, 97398, 98480, 99965, 102691, 108085, 2501*	*Now used as a match truck
P	Ballast and sand wagons	30903, 40841, 60562, 60906, 80225, 80603, 80684
Q	Provender wagons
R	Manure wagons
S	Fish wagons
T	Permanent way wagons	14428, 40554
U	Stone wagons
V	Covered goods vans	58725, 65620, 82554, 93016, 93045, 95353, 101961, 103592, 104621, 112889
W	Cattle trucks
X	Meat vans	105873
Y	Fruit vans	2303, 2424, 2815, 3429, 3467, 134290	92080 and 92090 were built in 1958 to BR Diagram 805
Z	Gunpowder vans		'Improvised' gunpowder vans are under Diagram V
AA	Brake vans	17410, 40362, 68501
BB	Stores vans
CC	Tool and workshop vans	14984, 80982
DD	Tank wagons	43989, 80990
EE	Flat wagons for tanks
FF	Trestle plate wagons

See also

• Carriages
• Goods Wagons
• Telegraph codes

Links

• Great Western Railway wagons: Diagram codes on Wikipedia
• Coaches of the Great Western Railway: Diagram codes on Wikipedia