GWR Pannier Tanks: 63ft British Railways Autocoach

Autocoach
Auto-coach
Auto Coach
Autotrailer
Auto-trailer
Auto Trailer

Yeah, we can't decide what to call them!
Anyway, they are 63ft long and built under British Railways over two lots in 1951 and 1954 and the perfect accompaniment to the auto-fitted 5400 and 6400 locomotives (as well as our 14xx Pack and Small Prairies Pack).

25 trailers were built in 4 diagrams which provide some seating variation. The diagrams are A38 (No.s 222-234), A39 (No. 220), A40 (No. 221) and A43 (No.s 235-244).
Note that we have built them as original - some of them in preservation have been rather "hacked about"!

So without further ado, the Crimson and Cream livery originally used. Apparently this was a mistake as it was pointed out to those "on high" that these vehicles were NOT mainline corridor stock, but No.'s 220-234 carried it when built.

Maroon was the official livery from 1956 and they carried this until they were withdrawn from service.

Unusually Swindon decided to name this final batch of auto-trailers after British birds and the first two, No.'s W220 and W221 were named "Thrush" and "Wren" and although a full list of names was drawn up and authorised no more were ever applied for reasons that are still unclear.

Finally we have the view of the vestibule driving cab.

All controls are operational and you can use this as a non-powered driving "engine" for any TS consist but if you use it with a Victory Works auto-fitted engine (4800/1400, 4575, 54/6400) in Advanced Mode then you can enjoy the full experience of working as the driver with your fireman back in the locomotive cab working in tandem with you to drive the train. They also work as a sandwich formation and even with multiple coaches.

The trailers also feature a choice of period or modern passengers, intelligent display of the driver in a compatible loco cab and have working steps for ground platforms (require markers to be placed on the route) as well as working doors for normal raised platforms.

Next week we'll take a look at the all new 5700/8750 models in game.