R stock, can someone explain this?

[metman]

www.ltmcollection.org/photos/photo/photo.html?_IXSR_=wmup4wASQ2r&_IXMAXHITS_=1&IXinv=1998/63601&IXsummary=results/results&IXsearch=trains&_IXFIRST_=995

R stock were either coupled with bar couplers between cars 1-2-3-4 and between 5-6. Wedgelock couplers were at the D ends of cars 4 and 6(8) and the A ends of car 5(7). The A end of car 1 had a ward coupler. Why does this car have a ward coupler?

[Deleted]

It looks to me as if it's a temporary coupler, for shunting at Acton Works.

[SE13]

Give me a few years (It's an age thing) to think about that, I've seen the answer to it quite recently.......

[towerman]

The Acton shunter only had ward couplers.

[Bighat]

Jan 13, 2010 19:04:07 GMT towerman said:

The Acton shunter only had ward couplers.

Well that makes sense.

The A (westbound, 211xx number range) end of the R stock is the one which would normally need to be coupled to at Acton, as they would be facing that way during their visit there.

So the shunter would need a ward coupling facing eastbound, as it is the only time a 211xx unit would otherwise couple up.

[Ben]

The standard coupler used on the district at the time of introduction was the ward coupler. According to the 'R stock story' the position 4, 5 and 6 cars had them because they were required to couple up for/in service, whereas the Ward coupler on the 211xx cars was provided for emergency use.

As to why theres a picture of a 233xx car with a ward fitted... it must be because of shunting reasons?