BR Gauge Wagon

[Dad-1]

O.K. Blame Paul Bartlett, but I was looking for any photos of Diag 207 LNER
21 ton Loco Coal wagons. Yes I'm making the Parkside kit.
There in his photos is a 'Gauge Wagon' conversion.
All I can see are cut away entrances with hand rails allowing interion access.

Anybody any idea how these were used ?
Obviously nothing to do with rail track gauge.
For checking bridge/tunnel sides ? No sign of any interior structure that would
be needed for checking say a tunnel roof for condition and clearance.
A bit of an oddball and it would be easy to model one, but the actual use ??????

Geoff T.

[stuartp]

For checking the structure gauge, a couple of boffins (no doubt in black macs and trilbys) standing in it with ranging poles and tape measures. I presume there's either a datum point marked in the wagon somewhere or it's done by measuring between the top edge of the wagon (which is of known height and width) and the underside of the bridge or tunnel lining.

Inspection of the fabric was different, that was done from either flat topped vans or platforms built in/on other wagons, so you could get close enough to poke it with a brick hammer, stick etc.

[Bigmet]

There were specialised vehicles in the Engineers Dept for general gauge work on the network, typically converted carriages. Just a guess, but could this wagon be specific to the gauge critical to a coal wagon's function such as clearances for loading at colliery screens, and possibly for other fixed infrastructure where they were loaded and off-loaded?

[Dad-1]

Hi stuartp, & Bigmet,

That was the sort of thing I was thinking, but expected a somewhat more advanced
electronic system would have been available even 50 years ago. I'd have expect to see
test windows/hatches. I know a man with a measuring pole is still used a lot in surveying.

From what I could see there wasn't much in the way of comfort for anyone inside !!
A good old brolly wouldn't be much good.

I am sorely tempted - looks like it had plain yellow ends with rather conventional grey sides.

Geoff T.

[Mountain]

Don't forget platform clearances and heights, though there was a specific tool for doing this so it didn't have to be done with those who were checking other clearances.
I remember being show this handheld tool in use, but it would not surprize me if sucha wagon would also check for this.

Another aspect vitally important is checking and installing overhead cantenary where specific purpose built vehicles were used.

[Bufferstop]

I saw something that might fit that description being propelled by a Class 37 through New Street during it 60s rebuild. I didn't notice at the time how it operated but there was a guy in a hi-vis jacket holding a pair of red and green flags standing in an open doorway, preumably to let the driver know they wanted to stop.

[stuartp]

That was the sort of thing I was thinking, but expected a somewhat more advanced
electronic system would have been available even 50 years ago.

Possibly yes, EDMs changed everything and I hadn't noticed how late the date was on the photos. I'm 99% sure there is some BTF film somewhere of it being done the old way though. Nowadays the Structure Gauging Train uses Lazerflex to do it at linespeed - https://www.omnicombalfourbeatty.com/pr ... he%20rails.

The platform clearances were still being checked using what was basically a long spirit level with a Tee square at one end well into the 1990s, it was a simple go/no go check after tamping. .

[Dad-1]

Again thanks stuartp,

It would be such an easy wagon to add that I'm tempted to make one.
I just wish I had some idea of what may have been done inside the
wagon. I would assume most equipment would be removed for safe
storage when not in use.

It would make an interesting wagon parked up on my small yard by
a Shark and a few Mermaids. The STRATFORD identification perhaps
not 100% suitable for a Hampshire looking yard that is my Chalkhill !

I noted that the yellow ends were faded to almost a lemon colour.

Geoff T