WRRC Forum

Attached is a photo of WD13121 which appears to be ex Barry. Please has anyone any ideas of it's original number? The style of the beading around the panels is different to the photo of 47 in the Barry drawings book. Also it has beading rather than a grove on the doors. But the brake gear is the same as the drawing of 10; whereas on 47 it appears to be that both brake handles acting on both sides.

I'm asking as I'm trying to finish off a drawing for printed models of both the Barry and Rhymney versions. So far I'm upto 4 different designs; and I thought it was going to be easy!!

What is the date of the photograph?

None is given. Is that a J94 like austerity in the background? In which case post 1943. Also there are a couple of run down PO type wagons which would say post WWII.

Did any Barry Railway 4-wheel brake vans last beyond December 1931? The only one I'm not sure of is Barry Railway No. 9 which was not taken into GWR stock. Whether this means it went somewhere else or was withdrawn before the grouping, I couldn't say.

On RMWeb it’s been suggested that this is ex Taff Vale according to a published history of the LMR. To my eye it’s similar but I’m not convinced.

I agree it does look remarkably like a Barry 4-wheel brake van but I know of no documentary evidence to substantiate the claim, quite the opposite in fact.

I've just spotted an article in the Locomotive Magazine (volume V no. 58 Oct 1900 p. 167) that shows a photo of Barry brake 47 and gives details of construction: it is noted that the 2 sets of brake gear are independent.

The vans are painted brown, with vermilionette ends, the ironwork being black. The body is finished inside and out with two coats of hard drying varnish.

Interesting description of the colour of the ends!

No mention of the differently coloured doors.