Siphons Gallery

Siphon G Wagon converted to ward car No. 3209 in 1943

By the spring of 1940 Britain's railway companies had supplied 25 ambulance trains for use both at home and abroad. In September 1942 the government ordered a further 27 ambulance trains, of which the GWR was to supply 4. By September 1943 Swindon Works had completed ambulance trains No. 32 and 33, and by January 1944 the subsequent two trains were ready. This official image taken in July 1943 shows ward car No. 3209 from overseas ambulance train No. 32, just prior to the whole of the train being completed. The car was converted from a Siphon G wagon and the wording Westinghouse Brake painted on the end of the body confirms that this braking system had been fitted to the vehicle especially for its use overseas