Between WWI and WWII, the Great Western Railway developed the use of containers that could be packed and locked at a client's premises, taken by lorry to a station, then carried by train and again by lorry to the final destination. Using these containers, they offered a door-to-door removals service, providing a team to pack the furniture, and a discount on fares to the destination. Some containers could carry up to 72 bicycles. Insulated containers, cooled by boxes of ice, were used to transport flower bulbs and other perishable items.

Originally such containers were carried on general-purpose flat trucks and wagons, but from 1931 the GWR built or converted a number of special purpose flat-bedded wagons, provided with chains for securing the load. They were called by the telegraphic code Conflat, and most of them were fitted with vacuum brakes.

In 1930 the railway introduced 100 containers primarily for building materials.

  • External size: 7ft 4in ×4ft4+1⁄2in (2,235mm ×1,334mm) height 1ft6+1⁄2in (470mm)
  • Internal size: 7ft 0in ×4ft 0in (2,134mm ×1,219mm) height 1ft 3in (381mm)
  • Capacity: 1long ton10cwt (3,400lb or 1.5t), tare weight 6longcwt (700lb or 300kg)

See also

Sources

  • Atkins, A. G.; Beard, W.; Hyde, D. J.; and Tourret, R. (1975). A History of GWR Goods Wagons. Vol.1: General. London: David & Charles. ISBN0715365320.
  • Atkins, A. G.; Beard, W.; Hyde, D. J.; and Tourret, R. (1976). A History of GWR Goods Wagons. Vol.2: Wagon Types in Detail. London: David & Charles. ISBN0715372904.
  • Russell, Janet K. L. (1983). G. W. R. Company Servants. Upper Bucklebury, Berks.: Wild Swan Publications. ISBN0906867185.
  • . Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 8 September 1930. p.11.