British railway coach in Holland 1945

[dwem]

A photo has been found of a bogie railway coach of undoubtedly British origin in Holland soon after the end of World War 2.

The photo was taken in summer 1946 at Den Haag SS station and the coach carries the fleet number 3314 and was used for third class passengers

We assume it originated with the Southern Railway or one of its predecessors, was taken to France with the British Expedionary Force in 1939/1940 and then left behind in June 1940.

The Deutsche Reichsbahn, which operated Dutch Railways from the start of the Battle of Arnhem on 17 September 1944 until 5 May 1945, then brought it to Holland and left it behind with hundreds of other non-Dutch coaches.

We do not think it was part post-war of British Army leave trains from Germany to Hoek van Holland, as it was clearly taken into use by Netherlands Railways (NS). In addition, the number 3314 appears in a 1946 list of foreign riolling stock in use, compiled by the NS rolling stock department

We are anxious to know more about the history of this coach. When and where was it bult. etc. Any information will be most appreciated!

Dirk

 

[Monty]

A photo has been found of a bogie railway coach of undoubtedly British origin in Holland soon after the end of World War 2.

The photo was taken in summer 1946 at Den Haag SS station and the coach carries the fleet number 3314 and was used for third class passengers

We assume it originated with the Southern Railway or one of its predecessors, was taken to France with the British Expedionary Force in 1939/1940 and then left behind in June 1940.

The Deutsche Reichsbahn, which operated Dutch Railways from the start of the Battle of Arnhem on 17 September 1944 until 5 May 1945, then brought it to Holland and left it behind with hundreds of other non-Dutch coaches.

We do not think it was part post-war of British Army leave trains from Germany to Hoek van Holland, as it was clearly taken into use by Netherlands Railways (NS). In addition, the number 3314 appears in a 1946 list of foreign riolling stock in use, compiled by the NS rolling stock department

We are anxious to know more about the history of this coach. When and where was it bult. etc. Any information will be most appreciated!

Dirk

I don't suppose you could provide a link to a photograph of this vehicle? It may go a long way in identifying the coach and unlocking it's history.

 

[dwem]

I don't suppose you could provide a link to a photograph of this vehicle? It may go a long way in identifying the coach and unlocking it's history.

I'm sorry, all we have is a mention in a list compiled by NS in 1946, plus a photo in a book, protected by copyright.

I will see what I can do.

Dirk

 

[northwichcat]

plus a photo in a book, protected by copyright.

Maybe give the title and author or ISBN then? Someone else may have the same book or it may be available in some libraries.

 

[dwem]

The book is "De Erfenis" by Bert (Bernard) Steinkamp, published Uquilair 2005, ISBN 9072513548.

I will be asking permission to reproduce the photo from the copy right holders.

Dirk
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
With permission of the copy right holders I have just uploaded the picture in my "DWEM" album.

Please have a look if you think you might be able to identify it!

Dirk

 

[asylumxl]

http://www.railforums.co.uk/album.php?albumid=452&pictureid=2759

A link to the photo in question, just for ease of access.

 

[30907]

I don't think it's an ex-SR coach (they did have a few BTKs with a big luggage compartment but they were Maunsell or Ironclad types, and this isn't)

I'd guess a GW Collett design BTK (with a window plated over)? Any GW coach experts out there?

 

[Monty]

Looks like an ex GW coach to me, may have been an ex ambulance train vehicle. I'll have to do some digging.

 

[Bevan Price]

The book "Great Western Coaches from 1890" by Michael Harris includes a photo of a very similar coach. Also, two GWR Brake Thirds were used in the SHAEF headquarters train, initially in Britain, but later (post 1944) apparently spent some time in Mainland Europe.

Coach nos. 601 and 1647 are quoted for these coaches. At least one returned to GWR service by 1946.

GWR coach no. 3314 was a clerestory roof coach design brake third dating from 1899, and obviously not the coach in the photo. So, the coach in the photo has presumably been renumbered whilst in Holland.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Also identified over at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/in...ery-coach-id-sought-british-coach-in-nl-1946/
(with kind permission from the OP)