|
Private Owner Wagons By Bill Hudson Oakwood Soft Cover
Private Owner Wagons By Bill Hudson
Soft Cover
88 pages
Copyright 1996
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements 3
Introduction 7
Chapter One Why Private Ownership? 9
Chapter Two Colliery Owned Wagons 15
Chapter Three Distribution 23
Chapter Four Public Utilities and Industry 43
Chapter FiveLarger Capacity Wagons 51
Chapter SixOther Mineral Wagons 57
Chapter Seven Liquids 67
Chapter Eight General Views 71
Chapter Nine Part Views 75
Chapter TenContemporary Sketches 79
Chapter Eleven The Written Record 83
Chapter Twelve How long did they last? 87
INTRODUCTION
Privately owned wagons, generally for the carriage of coal and other minerals, came into widespread use as early as the 1850s and their study is without doubt one of the most important and interesting facets of railway history. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most frustrating and difficult, on several main counts.
Firstly, the infrastructure, motive power, rolling stock, signalling and operating practices of the railways did not begin to change markedly (except in the case of liveries) until the mid-1960s and thus could be observed and recorded. On the other hand the glorious sight of the well maintained private owner wagon quickly came to an end, following their transfer to government control at the outbreak of World War II. While the terms of the pooling agreement did specify that wagons would be maintained and repaired by, and at the cost of, the government, the sheer horrors and operating practicalities of wartime did not allow them to be maintained as the majority of owners had done in peace time. Thus at the cessation of hostilities in 1945 much of the mineral wagon fleet was in poor condition, and much of it was life expired.
Following nationalisation of the mining industry in 1947, a considerable number of wagons were acquired by the National Coal Board for internal use at collieries. These were given a quick repaint, usually black, and in one sweep their livery was obliterated and, being on private land, they were removed from public view.
With nationalisation of the railways the remaining privately owned wagons were taken into state ownership also. Many were repainted and given a 'P' prefix to their number, but a good number, with already-fading private owner livery, simply received the new number, probably on the grounds that a full repaint was uneconomic. As the railways regenerated from the effects of the war, construction of all-steel 16 ton mineral wagons increased and wooden bodied wagons were withdrawn at an ever-increasing rate. Thus with the formation of the NCB fleet, repainting and scrapping, the sight of private owner wagons' livery had virtually disappeared by the early 1950s, long before the need to observe and record the everyday scene had become widely accepted.
Finally comes the question of records. Very many formal photographic records were taken by the railway companies and many of these survive, primarily at the National Railway Museum. Many thousands of shots of solo locomotives and three-quarter-front shots of moving trains were taken by private individuals. Conversely very few photographs of goods stock, sidings and yards were taken privately. It is true that the majority of medium and large wagon-building companies did photograph their products, but relatively little survives. Cravens of Sheffield and Birmingham Carriage & Wagon Co. records were virtually wiped out by the blitz in World War II. S.J. Claye records are thought to have been thrown away when the company was acquired by Charles Roberts, while W.H. Davies's and G.R. Turner's photographs are known to have been put on a bonfire for various reasons.
Thus the point of this introductory note is to draw attention to the fact that every piece of information regarding private owner wagons is important, and could be a missing part of the jig-saw. A portion of a wagon in the background of a photograph, a gem picked up in casual conversation with an elderly relative or retired railwayman, would be most useful. Make a note and tell your modelling colleagues. We may yet learn more about this fascinating chapter in railway history, but in the meantime I trust you will find some pleasure in the following selection of wagons, which include examples of 'a part of the story variety' that I have just referred to.
February 1996Bill HudsonAlfreton Derbyshire
All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
Shipping charges
US Shipments: Ebay will add $1.25 each additional items, there are a few exceptions.
Ebay Global shipping charges are shown. These items are shipped to Kentucky and forwarded to you. Ebay collects the shipping and customs / import fees. Refunds may be issued if you add multiple items to your cart and pay with one payment. For direct postage rates to these countries, send me an email. Shipping varies by weight.
Payment options
Payment must be received within 7 days. Paypal is accepted.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described. Contact us first. No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding.
Thanks for looking at our items.
| 
