GWR 4575 with Autotrailer’s
GWR/BR 4575
This class introduced in 1927 under the direction of Collett was a further development of the 45XX class with increased water capacity.
Like the 45XX class these locomotives could be found scattered all over the Western Region.
14 members of the class were auto-fitted, this allowed them to work with autotrailer’s in what is commonly known as push-pull mode.
The principle of autotrain working is briefly having a driving cab in a coach allowing driver to control basic driving functions remotely.
The operation of autotrains 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.
At Wheeltappers we have developed a locomotive decoder that complements the autotrailer.
This is a cheeper version, rather than having a sound decoder in the locomotive and another in the autotrailer, this version only has one decoder to be fitted in the locomotives bunker.
The decoder has been developed to use 1 or 2 auto trailer’s plus normal mode.
Please read the information sheet provided.
The whistles/gongs will work directionally with the sound emitting from the Locomotive only.
Lighting and oil lamps for the autotrailer can be worked from a separate function only decoder but will require separates pickups from the autotrailer.
BR number series 4575-4599, 5500-5574
Last Locomotive withdrawn in 1967.
11 have been preserved .
The 4575 sounds have been recorded from the prototype.
Please choose carefully which decoder type.
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Decoders come with a sugar cube speaker kit as standard, alternate speakers HERE
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