The LNER Encyclopedia

Not strictly an LNER related question but hopefully one of the members can advise me. GWR wagons appear to use two types of brake lever, one the same as the rest of the companies, the other looks like a circular plate attached to a short lever on the end of the solebar. Are these different types time related ie one early the other later or were they fitted at the whim of the manufacturer? Another interesting observation (for me anyway!) is that some (not all) GWR wagons have small circular holes near the ends of the solebars. Are these for lifting during maintenance or are they in some way related to the brakes? I assume including the odd GWR wagon in an LNER goods train would be accurate.

The holes in the solebar is from the days when horse power was that ie a hock was put in these holes for shunting by horses.

The brakes you are on about is the Dean Churchward brakes they were introduced at the start of the last centry and came in three formes depending on what use the wagons were for with DC 1 brakes on one side with a swan neck leaver with a pair of handels at one end only (the right hand side with the brake blocks on) DC2 was brakes on both side but leaver on the same end as before and no swan neck leaver this time and finaly DC3 this was DC2 but with the leaver at the oppersit end as normal. The last wagons that used DC brakes was bogie wagons and these were the type 3 with the othere soon faling out of fashon and became a hybread when the law came that brakes had to be on both sides and the handle at the same end.

Thanks for that Industrial. From what you say I can assume that the later wagons would have been fitted with standard brake levers, meaning the Hornby/Ratio/Dapol etc chassis will do for me, after a coat of Matt Black and a little weathering. Now I know the terminology a bit of googling will get me more info regarding dates etc.

No all of GWR wagons (excluding roofs) were gray the only railway to do this all the RTR wagons will have the later brake gear it is only kit wagons that will have the DC brakes on them.