TCV Double-Decker Car Transporter Newton Chambers BR Profile and Models

TCV Double-Decker Car Transporter Newton Chambers BR

NVV E96288 at London Kings Cross in June 1981. ©Kier Hardy

Originally designated as TCVs, the vehicles later became NVV (vacuum braked) and NVX (dual braked) under BR’s TOPS computer system. Unusually, they featured a hydraulically operated central well capable of storing two cars as well as four cars on the upper deck – a 50% increase in capacity over more conventional car carrying vehicles of the time. When introduced in the early-1960s, the TCV car transporters were used between London, York and Edinburgh in sets of five or six vehicles with a handful of BR maroon Mk1 coaches, hauled by ex-LNER ‘Pacifics’ and later BR green ‘Deltics’, Class 40s, 45s, 46s or 47s. From the late-1960s onwards, they were painted in BR blue/grey and started to venture further afield on ‘Motorail’ services from London and northern England to the West of England, being hauled by Class 45s, 46s, 47s and ‘Westerns’. However, they were closely associated with the East Coast Main Line throughout their career.

(Information provided via Heljan)

Type of Vehicle

Car Transporter

Builder

Newton Chambers

Build Dates

1960 to 1961

Total Built

14

Wheel Configuration

Unique 6' 9" Bogies

Operated By

British Rail

Main Duties

Motorail Car Services

In Service Until

Late 1980s

Surviving Examples

0