GWR/BR Autotrailer.
Generally referred to as Push-Pull trains.
The operation of autotrailers (Also known as autocoaches, autocars, autotrain, control trailers and simply trailers) dispensed with the need to run the locomotive around to the other end of the train at terminating points of the trains journey.
When driven from the autotrailer cab the driver had control of the regulator, could set the brakes, had a warning gong.
Trailers were also fitted with AWS (Automatic Warning System bell and horn).
There was also a handbrake and buzzer or bell system to communicate with the fireman(who remained on the locomotive) and the guard.
The locomotive connected to the autotrailer would need to be 'auto' fitted ie. Have the necessary connecting links to the trailer.
An auto fitted locomotive could be found on trains comprising of between one and not more than 4 coaches.
If three coaches or more the locomotive would have to be sandwiched between the coaches as due to the linkage system used only two autotrailers could be marshalled together in the train.
The 14XX class were generally found on lighter trains, and the 4575 class were generally used on heavier trains in the steeply graded South Wales Valleys.
Selection of Locomotives used with Auto-trailers
Class 14XX 1400-1474.
Class 4575 4578,4581,4589,5511,5524,5529,5534,5545,5555, 5559,5560,5568,5572 & 5574.
Class 5400 5400-5424.
Class 6400 6400-6439.
The date is difficult to attain with any certainty but it would appear that the last autotrain working would have been in 1963/4.
We recorded our autotrailer sounds from a Diagram A38 Lot 1736 built at Swindon.
Lot A38 were numbered No.s W220-W234 built in1951 to the design of the last GWR Chief Mechanical Engineer F.W. Hawksworth.
A further similar lot No A43 were built in 1954 No.s W235W-W244W.
Models of these coaches are available from Bachmann.
Airfix GMR, Mainline and Hornby also produced an autotrailer to C. B. Collett's Diagram A28 No.s W171W-W180W or A30 No.s W187W-W196W built between 1930 & 1933 for which this sound decoder would also be suitable.
Please choose carefully which decoder type.
***NOTE***
The autotrailer sounds have been designed to run in conjunction with auto-fitted sound locomotives.
The matched pair of decoder sounds have directional sounds and will work according to the direction of travel.
The sounds are matched with the autotrailer coupled to the bunker end of the locomotive.
Please choose bunker if using one autotrailer.
If using Two autotrailers then the loco needs to be sandwiched in between.
Select bunker autotrailer and boiler autotrailer.
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****Note****
‘O’ Gauge has different settings.
Please choose carefully which decoder type.
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If you are looking for an auto-fitted locomotive to run as a matched pair, please click 14xx, 4575, 48xx, 54xx or 64xx
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Decoders come with a sugar cube speaker kit as standard, alternate speakers HERE
Please add postage HERE