377-626B Graham Farish BR 12T Plywood Fruit Van BR Bauxite

New release - pre-orders invited - expected Jul/Aug 2025. preauthkernow

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 12 Ton Fruit Van which employed a metal chassis whilst the van was constructed from a pair of corrugated metal ends, each with a ventilator at the top. The metal body frame was panelled with plywood sheets, and four small ventilators were fitted along the bottom of each side to ventilate the cargo. As the name suggests, the vans were built to transport fruit but in later years they 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, plywood 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 5
• Pristine BR Bauxite (Late) livery
• Running No. B875823
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Length 49mm (over couplings)