The workshops of the Southern Region had the privilege of contributing one of the latest innovations of British Railways - the Travelling Tavern and Buffet and the results of their handicraft were seen at Waterloo Station on May 25 when the chiefs in the Transport world, together with numbers of the Press inspected two of the new "Tavern Car" sets before they were actually incorporated into the express services allotted to them.
The coaches were built to the design of Mr.0.V.Bulleid, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Region, by co-operation between the Railway Executive and the Hotels Executive. A total of eight "Tavern Cars", which combine the most modern features of a restaurant car with kitchen and pantry, plus a tavern car on the style of an Old English Tavern, are now operating for the first time on the express services of the Eastern and Southern Regions.
Southern Region.
"The Atlantic Coast Express' (10.35 a.m. Waterloo - Exeter and 12.50 p.m. Exeter - Waterloo).
Eastern Region.
"The Master Cutler" (7.40 a.m. Sheffield - Marylebone and 6.15 p.m. Marylebone - Sheffield).
"The White Rose" (9.15 a.m. King's Cross - Leeds and 5.15 p.m. Leeds - King's Cross).
"The Norfolkman" (10 a.m. Liverpool St - Cromer and 4 p.m . Cromer - Liverpool St.).
"Cross Country Boat Train" (two trains) (1.20 p.m. Liverpool (Central) - Harwich and 8 a.m. Harwich Liverpool).
Eastern and London Midland Regions.
"The South Yorkshireman" (10 a.m. Bradford - Marylebone and 4.50 p.m. Marylebone - Bradford).
Externally the two vehicles are of striking appearance, with leaded light windows set high in cream panelling.
The lower half of the Tavern Car is painted in the new crimson lake livery of British Railways, lined out to represent brickwork, with a door through which the bar is supplied. The cream panelling is broken by vertical black·panels imitating the outwards appearance of an old half-timbered inn. Set in the middle of one of the cream panels of the Tavern Car is an "Inn" sign, each coach having a different name. The two on the Southern trains are the "White Horse" and "Jolly Tar", the names of the other six being "The Dolphin", "The Three Plovers", "The Bull", "The Salutation", "The Green Man" and "The Crown".
Inside, one steps straight into an Old World Inn, with its rough surfaced, white washed walls and ceiling between dark oak beams, with dark oak settles and tables placed against the walls. The windows are set high in the walls and are of the old-fashioned type, with small leaded panes, while from the ceiling beams and the sides of the saloon hang old type square metal lanterns. The floor covering imitates the old black and red tiling of the Country Inn.
It is only at the far end of the "Tavern" that the modern note is struck by a Cocktail Bar and Snack Counter, fitted with the modern efficiency of gleaming stainless steel and plastic.
Suspended from one of the roof beams in the Tavern is a small replica of the "Inn" sign which also appears on the outside of the coach. The signs have been specially painted for these coaches by Joan Main and David Cobb, RO.I. (Mr. and Mrs. David Cobb), who have specialised in the revival of this branch of art.
Leaded swing doors lead to the kitchen and pantry where efficiently spaced racks allow for the storage of ample crockery and other table requisites; in addition to the usual cooking equipment there is an ice-cream conservator, a refrigerator and provision for the service of draught beer lager and cold minerals.
Both kitchen and pantry are finished in cream and chromium plate, with a special non-slip cream tiled floor and cream plastic panelled walls. Ventilation is a special feature. Much thought has been given to the design of these kitchens and pantries, and although space is necessarily limited it has been found possible to install complete equipment of modern design and easyclean finish, to provide hot meals for 350 to 400 persons in relays. Drain plugs are installed to allow for hosing down when necessary.
Tucked away at the end of the kitchen is another innovation, the private room for the kitchen staff with their own table, chairs and washing accommodation, etc.
Restaurant Car
Across the gangway is the Restaurant Car with seats for 24 first class and 40 third class passengers.
Although the half-timbered effect used so strikingly in the Tavern has been carried through into this car, the roof and sides being almost identical in construction, the use of polished light-figured oak for the timbers and wall frame, combined with buff plastic wall panels, gives an intensely modern effect. The old metal lanterns of the Tavern are here replaced by concealed fluorescent lighting set in the ceiling.
The reception given to the new Tavern Cars has not been wholly favourable, but bearing in mind the follow-the-leader habit of critics in most walks of life-in architecture, in art, the theatre, films, and elsewhere-also the number of times they prove ,to be out of touch with real public opinion, we prefer to adapt the old adage and say "the proof of the Tavern will be in its patronage". Latest reports indicate that the enterprise is more than justified, trade being brisk. Editor
It is in the first class portion of the restaurant car that there is a radical departure from normal British Restaurant Car practice. Very comfortable seats, facing inwards, extend the whole length of each side of the coach with separate tables for each pair of seats. The gangway passes up the centre of the coach and the edges of the table are guided from other passengers or staff by a small rail, in which is also set the ashtray for the table.
The seating in the third class portion is of the normal type, but each diner has an individual movable chair.
Another novel feature of the restaurant car is the glass racks above the seats for light articles. These are of toughened glass and have the great advantage that a passenger can quickly see from below whether he or she has left anything on the rack.