Hawksworth Coaches

In 1959 three ex-GWR Swindon built (Hawksworth design) TCKs were converted by the Western Region to be used as DMU strengthening vehicles. This was a tradition started with the GWR railcars, and one which the Region did again with the Railair set. They were given blue square jumpers, and finished in Dark Brunswick (Loco Green) and lined in DMU style. Their main use was to be for adding into Cross-Country sets, which were still in the lighter DMU green). The three vehicles were W7254W, W7804W and W7813W. All were withdrawn from 81D in 3/67.

Sightings included:

W7254W	in Class 117 with 51367	1965
W7804W	in a Cross country set with 51064 / 59423 / 51092, on 13:18 Paddington - Oxford & 15:45 return	8/61
	in RDG 316	7/66
W7813W	in RDG 301	12/59
	in RDG 333	6/65

	One end of W7804W after conversion, showing the jumpers / sockets, blue square coupling code, and additional vacuum pipe. It is branded a 'TCL'.
	A vehicle inserted into a GRCW Cross-Country set (with a Swindon Cross-Country at the rear). The train is the 3.45pm Oxford - Paddington seen at Didcot on the 22nd September 1961. Michael Mensing