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Longest Narrow Gauge Coach?

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by houghtonga, Jun 15, 2012.

  1. houghtonga

    houghtonga Member

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    Just for fun, I thought it might be interesting to compare the Narrow Gauge carriage in the UK & Ireland past & present.
    Naturally this should include the Channel Islands and I.O.M.

    A few I have found out for a kick-off. I have used headstock-headstock dimensions rather than couplers.


    W&LLR (ex MAV) = 42ft 4.5 inches
    L&MVLR = 42ft
    W&LLR & STR (ex Sierra Leone Railway) = 40ft
    W&LLR Pickering = 35ft
    GVLR & LCLR (ex Ashover) = 30ft
    VOR - 32ft (?)

    It would be interesting to compare these with the dimensions of the new WHR, Cambletown, CDRJC, Adrian Shooter's Parlour Car, I.O.M, Lynton & Barnstable etc.
    and maybe then sub-divide by the largest 2ft gauge coach etc.

    Best wishes,
    Gareth
     
    houghtonga, Jun 15, 2012
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  2. guard_jamie

    guard_jamie Part of the furniture

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    I have a vague recollection that one of the 1870s FR Ashbury's is pretty lengthy, though whether it is in the top 10 I don't know.
     
    guard_jamie, Jun 15, 2012
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  3. Charobin

    Charobin Member

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    The Plynlimon & Hafan replica carriage here in Cornwall is around 36 feet long.
     
    Charobin, Jun 15, 2012
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  4. Selsig

    Selsig Member

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    The longest new WHR carriage is the Pullman Obs "Glaslyn" at 14m, which is 45ft 11-and-a-bit inches, others are at 13m and 12m long. I think you'd struggle to find anything larger on the 2' gauge, or even perhaps on the UK narrow gauge (though the Glasgow Subway carriages might give a run for the money). Other thoughts are perhaps, historically, some of the narrow gauge trams that used to run in the UK.
     
    Selsig, Jun 15, 2012
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  5. lynbarn

    lynbarn Well-Known Member

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    Don't know about 2ft gauge, but the 3ft County Donegal had two coaches both 52ft 4 inches over buffers in length they where of course ex NCC Ballymena to Larne boat train stock

    regards

    Colin Rainsbury
     
    lynbarn, Jun 15, 2012
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  6. houghtonga

    houghtonga Member

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    Had a few PM's: The FR 1873 coaches (Ashbury coach?) is an impressive 36-37 ft.

    Also there is a 3ft 6inch gauge ex Zambian Railways Sleeping Car in the UK owned by David Shephard, it was at Whipsnade Zoo in the 1970s but not sure of its current whereabouts. however it sounds like that is quite a substantial size.

    I am impressed by the size of "Glaslyn", the Plynlimon & Hafan replica and the ex Ballymena vehicles, thanks.

    kind regards,
    Gareth
     
    houghtonga, Jun 16, 2012
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  7. Martin Coombs

    Martin Coombs New Member

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    How long were those nice-looking Pickering vehicles on the Campbeltown and Macrihanish?

    Martin Coombs
     
    Martin Coombs, Jun 16, 2012
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  8. lynbarn

    lynbarn Well-Known Member

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    Hi Martin, they where 43ft 6inches over headstock according to Nigel Macmillans D&C book on the Campbeltown and Machrihanish Railway would like to see one of these on the Welshpool and Llanfair

    regards

    Colin
     
    lynbarn, Jun 16, 2012
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  9. paulhitch

    paulhitch Guest

    This is an expensive old business. Are you sure you can afford to bankroll it?

    P.H.
     
    paulhitch, Jun 16, 2012
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  10. lynbarn

    lynbarn Well-Known Member

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    Only if i win the lottery Paul

    Colin
     
    lynbarn, Jun 16, 2012
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  11. Rander

    Rander New Member

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    If we're counting 15" gauge, then Ratty's six Maxi coaches are 30 feet long, though I'm not sure if that's over the buffers/couplings or just the length of the frames. They are, incidentally, based off the design of Campbeltown & Machrihanish coaches.
     
    Rander, Aug 2, 2012
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