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Pannier is the group’s journal published twice a year and sent free to all members. This is a quality A4-sized publication and includes substantial papers and historical information. Pannier Supplements are occasional A5-sized booklets dedicated to a particular subject.

The Group maintains all past Panniers in print; back issues can be purchased at the Group’s sales stand or may be ordered from:
Publications Officer, Great Western Study Group, The White House, Frogmore, Kingsbridge, Devon. TQ7 2NZ.

  • PANNIERS £4.00 – Five or more £3.50 (UK P&P £2.10)
  • PANNIER SUPPLEMENTS £3.00 – (members: £2.00) (UK P&P £1.00)
  • PANNIER BINDERS £7.50 each

Please make cheques payable to ‘Great Western Study Group’ (overseas orders payable in pounds sterling).

Click in covers below to see a larger version.

Autumn 2024 – Permanent Way Special – 44 Pages

  • The Permanent Way of Railways (Article from GWR Magazine of February 1908)
  • Marlborough Cutting Chalk Removal (Engineering Bulletin of June 1956)
  • Taylor’s Patent Cladding (Potential replacement for corrugated iron sheeting used to limited extent by GWR, qv Moor Street Goods Shed)
  • Moor Street Station (Article from GWR Magazine of June 1916) – see Pannier 50 – Additional Information
  • Moveable Elbows on the GWR, Part 1
  • Ballast and Ballasting (Article from PW Institution Journal of April 1928)
  • Plymouth District PW Inspectors’ Map (Map undated but post-1947) – see Pannier 50 – Additional Information
  • Drainage of Bridges (Article from PW Institution Journal of April 1927)
  • GWR Motor Economic System of PW Maintenance (Description of system introduced from 1901)
  • Odds & Ends (2 Photos of 2-plank wagons in Departmental use)
  • GWR 0-4-2ST No.96 (Follow-up to Pannier 48 article describing No. 95)
  • The PW Gang’s Equipment (Transcription of official list for Gang No.91, Taunton District)
  • Stained Glass (The GWR’s representation in the stained glass of 2 churches, Swindon & Taunton)

Winter 2023-2024 – 40 Pages

  • GWR Census 1923 (A summary based on an official post-grouping Report)
  • Modern Marshalling Yards (from the Railway Gazette, December 1933)
  • The Great Western Trust – an Introduction
  • Pagoda (The distinctive structures described)
  • The Southall Autotrain (Two 1905 photographs analysed)
  • Caerphilly Castle (A celebration of the first of the class)
  • More on No.95 (A follow-up to the article in Pannier 48)
  • Safe Working of Railways (The suggested text for a 1905 lecture & sections from the 1904 GWR Handbook)
  • Examination for Look-Out Men (A 1913 document for testing to Rule 273)
  • Goods in Small Consignments (An introduction based on official GWR documents)
  • Where is it? (A mid-1950s photo of Castle 5050 at an unrecognised shed)

Summer 2023 – 40 Pages

  • What is an ELR? (Engineers Line Reference)
  • The work of a large passenger station (WR Deb. Soc. Lecture 1950)
  • Profile of a Station Master (W T Geden, SM Paddington)
  • Reconstruction at Paddington (GWR Mag Article from May 1923)
  • Who was William Albert Hart? (name on c1870 photo leads Tony along a fascinating genealogical trail)
  • Broad Gauge Kingswear Branch Trains (Analysis of 2 photographs)
  • GWR Branding (Photos of crockery from GWT’s collection)
  • I have a theory (Keith ponders on some coach conundrums)
  • The Four Castles (Photos of the recent gathering at Didcot)
  • GWR No.95 an engine we know little about
  • Odds & Ends (1931 excursion handbills)

Spring 2022 – 40 Pages

  • Reminders of the past at Swindon (Significant buildings & memorials)
  • More about XP markings (Follow-up to Pannier 46 article)
  • 2112 – A Tank with hidden depths
  • R P Brereton (Brunel’s Assistant)
  • GWR Loading Gauges
  • The GWR Rock Collections (Brunel’s Building Stone Collections)
  • Collett’s Folly: The Saga of the Missing Pony Truck (The Tale of the 56xx)
  • The Wiltshire Agricultural Show 1925 (The Special Workings Required)
  • GWR Running-in Boards
  • Odds & Ends (Follow-ups to previous topics)

Spring 2021 – 40 Pages

  • The Byzantine Empire of Private Owner Wagons
  • Barmouth Junction North Box
  • Station Buildings at Bodmin Road & Lostwithiel
  • GWR Coaching Stock Workings
  • Fencing the Railway
  • Plymouth Millbay Dock
  • The London Milk Distribution Scheme in the event of War Emergency
  • Friar’s Junction Signal Box
  • What’s in a Name?
  • St Austell Goods Shed & Yard
  • GWR Structure Colours. An Addendum: After WW2
  • Trowbridge Station (old hand-coloured postcard)
  • XP Markings
  • Odds & Ends (Follow-ups to previous topics)