GWR diesel railcar No W12W at Reading shed on May 5, 1957.

Peter Kerslake says "This photograph clearly shows the difference in the design of Railcar number 12 with its rounded and more streamlined leading end in comparison with her sister behind , a later version with its sharper features and wedge shaped front end .
The unusual design of small buffers and array of air horns are also apparent , these units being quiet when running and posing a hazard to track workers .
My records show that this Railcar was allocated to Oxford M.P.D. at this time although Reading, the site of this view , itself had five units on its books , as did the nearby depot at Southall .
Bodywork on number 12 was from the Gloucester Railway and Carriage Company , the railcar entering service in 1936 and in the mid ' fifties there were 35 railcars still in service , distributed over 13 depots on the Western Region with Worcester having the most at six. "


Photo: J.F. Davies/Rail Archive Stephenson