ABCM - Swing Door 1st/2nd Motor Carraige


There were only two ABCM cars; numbers 2 and 3. Ten of these cars were planned as far back as 1916 but only two ran in service.

They were "double ended" cars; a driving compartment at each end. This made them suitable for single car running on shuttle services with low patronage.

Until now there has been a great deal of conflicting information about the history of these cars. The main reasons have been the lack of specific information; reliance on planning lists which were never followed and the incorrect interpretation of "Register" records. Other source material has come to light which clearly shows the history as outlined below.

 Vehicle.............SV  #  Date...... Loc History............SV Notes

 BDBD              2.VA  -   4/10/1900 NCO Built new             -
                            circa 1910 -   To    BC         2.VA -
 BC                2.VA 1st 30/ 6/1911 -   Modified              50' - 57'3"
                            30/ 5/1917 -   To    ABCM       2.VA -
*ABCM              2.VA  -  31/10/1923 -   To    M        156.VB -
 M               156.VB  -  12/ 7/1963 -   Off Register          -

 BDBD              3.VA  -  14/ 3/1901 NLO Built new             -
                            circa 1910 -   To    BC         3.VA -
 BC                3.VA 1st  6/11/1911 -   Modified              50' - 57'3"
                            19/ 1/1917 -   To    ABC        8.VA -
 ABC               8.VA 1st 28/ 6/1917 -   To    ABCM       3.VA -
*ABCM              3.VA  -  17/ 9/1921 -   To    M        157.VB Npt:13/9/21
 M               157.VB  -  15/ 9/1929 -   To    ABM      157.VA -
 ABM             157.VA  -   7/10/1955 -   To    CM        10.VA -
 CM               10.VA  -    /  /1972 NWS Note                  R104: Waiting scrap
                            circa 1986 -   Off Register          [v]
                            10/ 9/1994 SER Preserved             [SXC]: Seymour Pres. Group

Code   SV   Date   Sys  Description                     Type

ABC    VA   1910 - VR   Bogie First/Second/Van          Passenger           
ABCM   VA   1917 - VR   Swing Door First/Second/Van     Elec. Suburban      
ABM    VA   1926 - VR   Swing Door 1st/2nd Sub. Motor   Elec. Suburban      
BC     VA   1910 - VR   Bogie 2nd Class / Van           Passenger           
BDBD   VA   1900 - VR   Bogie Sw-door 2nd Class/Van     Passenger           
CM     VA   1921 - VR   Suburban Parcels Coach Motor    Elec. Suburban      
M      VB   1921 - VR   Swing Door Suburban Motor       Elec. Suburban      

Code  Location / Builder

-     -                             
NCO   Newpt, Coleman & Party        
NLO   Newpt, Loach & Party          
NWS   Newport Workshops             
SER   Seymour                       


References...

[SXC]  : Stephen Cleverdon                             
[v]    : History generated by PJV/Not official record