Is this really Barry 52

[Penrhos1920]

There is a photo of DW80948 on Paul Bartlett's photo pages: http://www.paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/gwrdeptcoach 1/3 way down. This photo has been puzzling me for a while. The coach looks very GWR but doesn't quite fit. So last time I was in York I had a look in the relevant register and was very surprised. The entry for 80948 is this:

Previous coach Barry third no.52 (1894) Eng Coach (Mess Room).
Converted 15/3/24
Vacuum & either side, changed to Lever Each Side Osy 7/2/53
Seat and lockers fitted around ???, cooking stove provided, Written 'Eng. Dept. C.Wales Division, Machynlleth 3/24

BUT. No Barry coaches were built in 1894 and 52 was a 6 compartment third, unlike the photo. 25 was 5 compartments,but was not withdrawn from stock until the following year.

[BrianH]

Comparing the photo to the diagram in Mountford's book I do not think that it can be a ex Barry coach. The panelling that still shows does not match at all. In particular the photo does not allow for a panel between adjacent compartments.
The next question must be, what else could it be?

Brian

[Penrhos1920]

- another view of the same coach.

I'm told that is coach was not Barry Railway but Brecon and Merthyr 52. Mountford gives the conversion information.