PRESSED STEEL RAILCAR TO STAINES WEST

The service

From West Drayton & Yiewsley Junction station, six and a half miles to Staines West. Intermediate stops at Colnbrook Estate Halt, Colnbrook, Poyle Estate Halt, Poyle Halt for Stanwell Moor, Yeoveney Halt (closed May 14 1962). Colnbrook was a full station with Up and Down platforms, goods yard, signal box and passing loop. One engine in steam train-staff south of Colnbrook, singleline token Colnbrook to West Drayton. The freight service south of Colnbrook ended in 1955. Passenger service was withdrawn on March 29 1965.

The trains

Single autocoach with ‘ 14XX’ 0‑4‑2T or ‘54XX’ 0‑6‑0PT. Staff shortages in the 1950s led to increasing use of GWR diesel railcars. Initially, one of the streamlined cars was trialled, but its inadequate brakes were said to have led to an accident at the terminus. Certainly, a large concrete block at the track end and a replacement column under the canopy suggested that there had been a serious mishap there. Subsequently, cars from the W19‑32 series were used. Gloucester RC&W railcars (Class 122 Nos. 55000‑19) displaced GWR railcars and autotrains in 1958 and were themselves displaced by Pressed Steel (Class 121 Nos. W55020‑35) in 1960.

The models

Pressed Steel railcars are available in ‘N’ gauge from Dapol, in ‘OO’ from Hornby (and to come from Bachmann) and in ‘O’ gauge from Tower Brass. The Hornby model is ex-lima and Lima examples are available second-hand for £30-£60. There is also a cast white metal and aluminium kit from Westdale in ‘O’ gauge. Best atmosphere The unique station at Staines West. Present status Staines West station converted to offices. Colnbrook and halts demolished.

COLOUR‑RAIL Pressed Steel railcar No. W55029 stands at Staines West on May 7 1961, looking almost exactly how I remember my first sight of the West Drayton train. The disused goods shed was demolished in 1963 to make way for a central heating oil depot, which kept...

Despite being 55 years old, there are still a couple of Class 121 railcars in service. Chiltern Trains uses one on peak-time Princes Risborough-aylesbury services. The model was converted from a Lima original, and repainted in Model Rail 57, in July...