An unconventional image of an unconventional train
A western region parcels train approaches Reading during the mid 1970s as the first of class 50050 waits to head west.
DMUs were designed to be able to haul parcels vans and regularly did so until the mid 1980s. The formation of this train is particularly unusual, and is a remnant of an even more interesting parcels service that once ran on the western region.
The formation seen here is a class 128 parcels DMU (probably 55991), a GUV van, a class 116 parcels DMU car and three further vans.
The GUV carries the defunct branding 'Railair Express Parcels', though the 'air' was probably painted out. The GUV was a specially converted van (either W86174 or W86572) wired for DMU operation with strengthened floors, while the class 116 was a converted former power car with its seats removed.
RailAir Express Parcels was a service introduced in 1969 between Bristol and Hayes (for Heathrow Airport). The service was aimed at conveying parcels traffic to or from Heathrow from across the western region. Hayes is 3 miles from Heathrow and had a specially designed terminal for handling the transshipment of air and rail freight. The service was withdrawn in 1972.
Information from the excellent railcar.co.uk site.
Photograph by an unknown photographer, now part of my collection.
An unconventional image of an unconventional train
A western region parcels train approaches Reading during the mid 1970s as the first of class 50050 waits to head west.
DMUs were designed to be able to haul parcels vans and regularly did so until the mid 1980s. The formation of this train is particularly unusual, and is a remnant of an even more interesting parcels service that once ran on the western region.
The formation seen here is a class 128 parcels DMU (probably 55991), a GUV van, a class 116 parcels DMU car and three further vans.
The GUV carries the defunct branding 'Railair Express Parcels', though the 'air' was probably painted out. The GUV was a specially converted van (either W86174 or W86572) wired for DMU operation with strengthened floors, while the class 116 was a converted former power car with its seats removed.
RailAir Express Parcels was a service introduced in 1969 between Bristol and Hayes (for Heathrow Airport). The service was aimed at conveying parcels traffic to or from Heathrow from across the western region. Hayes is 3 miles from Heathrow and had a specially designed terminal for handling the transshipment of air and rail freight. The service was withdrawn in 1972.
Information from the excellent railcar.co.uk site.
Photograph by an unknown photographer, now part of my collection.