GS&WR express locomotives query

[minister_for_hardship]

Leafing though photos of GS&WR locos, wondered why the express locos in particular got a pair of lamp irons on the smokebox door. Some carried them into early GSR days, before being removed or the doors were replaced.

 

Never seen any pics of them having a headboard or even lamps on them. What was the purpose? Some long forgotten and short-lived headlamp code?

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-unHigzNWtHU/VG3CRijsBlI/AAAAAAAADho/YZiSHinoig8/s1600/Killarney%2BExpress%2BGSWR%2BLoco%2BPublishing%2BCo.%2Bpc.JPG

 

The singleton "Sir William Goulding" got them too...

 

http://www.maunsell.org.uk/newsletter/newsletter%20images/13line_drg.gif

[Jawfin]

Another similar mystery is why some GSWR locos had two whistles as well - I think they were mainly larger mainline ones, but there's a pic of 90 with them as well.

[minister_for_hardship]

Another similar mystery is why some GSWR locos had two whistles as well - I think they were mainly larger mainline ones, but there's a pic of 90 with them as well.

 

The deeper toned of the two whistles sounded when the emergency cord was pulled. Older coaching stock still retained the brackets that once held that cord.

 

Think the GWR had something similar (EDIT just spotted, used them for braking instructions and other purposes), other railways in early days had a gong on the tender which rang when the cord was pulled.

Edited June 10, 2015 by minister_for_hardship

[jhb171achill]

Times like this, I wish Senior was about; he could have given us chapter and verse on that six months ago!

 

Wouldn't "Sir William" be a fine candidate for preservation, and a 400 class 4.6.0!

Edited June 10, 2015 by jhb171achill