Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - The Introduction of 20 ton Coal Wagons - 1923   . . .

An article in the South Wales Coal Album of 1929 [469] combined with drawings unearthed at the Wiltshire & Swindon Archive [252] is the basis for this chapter. My interest in the subject was fired by the following newspaper article:-

September 1930 - Gloucester Firm's Contract - "The Great Western Railway, states "Northern Transport," have awarded the contract for a new 20 ton wagon coaling hoist required for their Penarth Dock to Fielding and Platt, Ltd., of Gloucester." Gloucester Citizen [225] [361] 26th September 1930.

Introduction of 20-Ton Wagons

The introduction of 20-ton wagons into South Wales may be said to date from September 10th, 1923, when Sir Felix J. C. Pole, General Manager of the Great Western Railway, addressed a letter to the South Wales Coal Traders describing the advantages to be gained by the use of wagons of 20-ton carrying capacity, and suggesting there should be no delay in introducing them. What is noteworthy is the fact that the scheme materialised within twelve months of the date it was proposed, and we find the first 20-ton wagon being shipped at Port Talbot, on August 26th, 1924.

20-ton coal wagon of the GWR.

This era of coal shipment in South Wales can be regarded as one of the tangible results of the grouping brought about by the Railways Act of 1921, for it is improbable that a scheme of such magnitude, and involving such huge expenditure could have been carried through under the separate Managements existing prior to the passing of the Act.