Railmotors

A more economical service for quiet country branch lines where traffic was light could be given by the Railmotor . Introduced around 1905, they were designed with a small steam engine unit fitted into one end of a specially designed carriage. The engine was at one end, totally enclosed, the chimney exhausting through the coach roof. They were originally used between Oxford and Bicester; Bletchley and Bedford; and in North Wales.

Although generally successful, railmotors suffered from a lack of flexibility: They could just cope with one extra coach, but when service needs demanded it, there was too little power for anything more. Ventilation was also a problem: A steam locomotive produces a lot of heat, which is far from ideal when enclosed within the glass windows of a carriage. Being introduced relatively late they had a modern appearance with large glass windows, elliptical roofline , and open seating plan. Doors in the end could be opened to remove the power unit for repairs. Steps were provided at the central vestibule entrance so that passengers could enter and leave at places where there was no platform; swinging the steps out automatically applied the brake.