PASSENGER TRAIN FORMATIONS
Philip A. Millard
Geoff Holt speaks as though the subject of LNWR train formations
is a blank book. I agree that a great deal is not known but a
[...] lot is! Geoff has noticed three different ways in which the
treads on the front footsteps of Royal Scot class locos were bent
up, so he must realise that train photos can yield information
about carriages and train working. 
I enclose my answers to the questions he raises, but anyone in
need of specific information is welcome to write to me and I will
do my best to help, but be aware that many main line trains, and
especially most relief and/or extra trains, were assembled each
day from the available rolling stock (although some sets were kept
chained together, and strengthened as required). The more through
carriages and strengtheners there were, the more the formation
would vary from one day to the next.
LNWR Society Journal Page 237
The train is running on the Down Fast line at Euxton Coal Siding
(Euxton Junction in the background). As you say, the first three
carriages are 8ft 6in wide WCJS vehicles. In fact, as far a I can
determine they are all WCJS  vehicles. This makes the train a
relief, probably Manchester Glasgow/Edinburgh. The angle of the sun
indicates midafternoon, and we can be sure the day is a summer
Saturday. Many railway photos of the period were taken on summer
Saturday afternoons, which tends to give a misleading impression
of the length and composition of a typical LNWR express train.
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Talbot’s ‘LNWR Miscellany’ (Vol. 1) Plate 58
Due to restricted clearances the ‘Sunny South Express’
required 8ft 6in wide rolling stock, and some was specially built
for this service. The vehicles here are:–
1) 50ft 0in x 8ft 0in x 7ft 8in TK D.268.
Undoubtedly a Saturday strengthener.
2) 57ft 0in x 8ft 6in x 8ft 5in BCK D.213.
(3xF, 2xT). The ten
vehicles of this type were assigned to through services to the
South Coast. 8ft 6in wide rolling stock may be recognised by the
sides above the waist, which were vertical. The sides on 9ft 0in
wide carriages sloped inwards slightly so as to be 8ft 9in wide
at the cantrail .
3) 65ft 6in x 8ft 6in x 8ft 7in RTK D.29. Again
being 8ft 6in wide these vehicles were most often found on through
services to destinations on other lines.
4) 57ft 0in x 8ft 6in x 8ft 5in BCK D.214. (as vehicle 2).
(The other carriages cannot be discerned with certainty).
Talbot’s ‘LNWR Miscellany’ (Vol. 1) Plate 115
The train is the Up Day Irish Mail, arriving at Crewe at about
2.30, again doubtless on a Saturday.
The carriages are:–
1) 32ft 0in x 7ft 9in x 7ft 4in five-compartment Parcel Van D.424.
2) 42ft 0in x 8ft 0in x 7ft 8in seven-compartment Third D.292.
3) 42ft 0in x 8ft 0in x 7ft 8in Lavatory Composite, Page 49 in
the 1895 Diagram Book, supplemented 1914/5 and hence not included
in the 1915 Diagram Book
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