Blue spot Fish Van E87547 to BR diagram 1/801 was a BR version of the standard LNER fish van of 1948. Although finished in eye catching white - or later ice blue - basic colour, with the large blue spot indicating fish traffic, the high milages between Scotland and London run by the type caused them usually to be in dirty external condition. This wagon is modelled to a photograph taken at Aberdeen in the mid-sixties, and has been locally cleaned over the wagon markings.

An ice blue version of the same type, E87893 shows the post 1963 BR livery for insulated vans. These models were scratchbuilt in plasticard using Parkside chassis parts, and have been shown on previous OMWB pages.

A change from the usual short wheelbase stock on the layout, COV AB 200062 is based on the excellent Bachmann model and has just been re-painted and weathered. The early examples of this design were vacuum piped in addition to the air brakes, allowing them to run within vacuum fitted trains. The model is in the original livery carried from new, which was retained by some into the early 1980s.

Another van of the same type, 200237 has the new 'Railfreight' logo applied on a maroon patch over the original bauxite finish. Many vans appeared this way after the 1976 introduction of the railfreight brand by BR.

M178129 ex-LMS metal-side van from 1930, vans lacking vacuum brakes such as this were eliminated by BR during the early-sixties. This model was based on a photograph from 1962, and the design was unusual for having metal sides as well as ends. One of this type is now preserved on the GCR at Loughborough.

Van B752654 to BR diagram 1/202 is an example of how BR adopted existing wagon building programmes in the first couple of years after nationalisation. This filled the vacuum while new 'standard' designs were being formulated. This design, from Ashford works in 1949, is to the basic Southern Railway ply-sided pattern, but with some early BR influences on the underframe. It is modelled in post-1964 condition with the new 'datablock' style markings applied on patches of fresh paint, and would have probably survived in traffic until the early seventies.

This is a late version 12 ton van (Dia 1/213). The model is a combination of the Parkside ply-sided bodyshell and the Red Panda chassis, allowing the 8 shoe clasp-brake pattern to be featured. It has been numbered B780307 to match a worksplate I picked up at a railwayana sale a while ago.

B777623 is the late-version 12 ton van to BR Diagram 1/208 pictured unpainted last month, it is shown here in finished condition. The model is a combination of the Parkside plank-side / ply-door bodyshell and the Red Panda chassis kit, allowing the correct 8 shoe clasp-brake pattern to be featured.

Dia 1/246 van, running number B882117, with a ‘Geest Bananas’ poster applied and typical weathering for the late 1960s. After the loss of banana traffic to other modes of transport some of these vans saw use as barrier vehicles in chemical-tank trains.

W123971 is a GWR ‘Mogo’ van, built using the Ratio kit, completed as it appeared in 1964. BR retained the GWR wagon code for the type, and the loader has helpfully chalked the suggested end for unloading to judge by ‘OUT’ and the arrow!

Ex-LNER van E243462. Although this was a kit-bash of a Parkside plank-ended van kit, I now realise the steel-ended Dia 116 type is available in kit form within the Parkside range and also r-t-r from Bachmann……!

A pair of class 20s head a southbound van train through Wibdenshaw. These wagons have been detailed and weathered by Paul James, and a selection of these Eastwell Ironstone vans are featured below.

Eastwell vans.

Eastwell vans.

Eastwell vans.

Eastwell vans.

Eastwell vans.

Eastwell van.

Eastwell van.

Shenston Road.

An ex-LNER fish van stands in front of the new embankment at Hartburn.

Morfa Bank Sidings.

Morfa Bank Sidings.

Morfa Bank Sidings.

Morfa Bank Sidings.

Morfa Bank Sidings.

M94693 is an example of a recently completed project to create a fleet of seven BR CCTs for use mainly on Wibdenshaw. The project was based on some cheap second-hand Lima models picked up over the years. Flush glazing with wire security bars has been fitted, as have MJT W-irons with 14mm disc wheels and clasp brakes left over from wagon building projects. All the door grab handles have also been replaced, using brass wire, before final painting and marking using Fox and Modelmaster transfers.