373-740A - BR 10T Meat Van BR Crimson

British Railways (BR) inherited a wide range of rolling stock upon Nationalisation in 1948, much of which was aging or in need of modern replacement and so a programme to build new vehicles soon commenced. These new vehicles were built to a variety of standardised designs, for covered vans most of the new designs centred around a 10ft wheelbase chassis with a metal and wood body on top. Alongside general merchandise vans, several specialist types were built including the 10 Ton Meat Van which employed a metal chassis whilst the van was constructed from a pair of corrugated metal ends, in the centre of which was a row of four ventilator. The metal body frame was panelled with wooden planks, and further ventilators were fitted either side of the double doors. As the name suggests, the vans were built to transport meat but in later years also found use moving general merchandise.

The Graham Farish model is a faithful replica of the BR design, using a precision moulded body that accurately captures the corrugated ends, planked sides and ventilators, along with finer details like the body framing, door hinges and locking mechanisms. The roof includes the characteristic rain strips above each set of double doors and the rivets securing the roof are neatly moulded at either end. The chassis is similarly detailed, being fitted with separate brake gear, brake handles and vacuum cylinders, complete with the linkage between the two ‘V’ hangers. Metal wheels and axles are employed, along with turned metal buffers; meanwhile for the first time the couplings are fitted via NEM coupling pockets allowing full interchangeability for those wishing to use an alternative coupling system.

MODEL FEATURES:

• Graham Farish N Scale
• Era 4
• Pristine BR Crimson livery
• Running No. B870009
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Length 49mm (over couplings)