GWR Carriage Door handles

This display of railway carriage handles shows the array of styles and mechanisms that the GWR used.

The GWR would have always been experimenting with the handles and trying to provide the best in comfort and ease of use for both passengers and employees.

When the GWR first started running passenger services in the late 1830s the 3rd class carriages were open trucks. They were highly dangerous and severely unpleasant for anyone travelling in one. The welfare of the passengers soon became top priority and carriages evolved significantly over the years. Carriage door handles and their mechanisms had to be safe as well. This still remains in todays railway world.