981013 Rapido Ammonium Nitrate / Chemical Tank Wagon - Glasgow C

New release - pre-orders invited - expected during 2026. preauthkernow

Rapido say "The Ministry of Munitions ordered a fleet of 100 10-ton tank wagons from The Leeds Forge Company in 1916. Ammonium nitrate is a tricky chemical to transport because it is a crystalline substance which absorbs water vapour and then sets hard like concrete, so there is potential for the load to set hard during transportation. To counter this problem, the wagon's design featured an airtight tank to prevent water ingress. This door resembled a conventional dished tank barrel end and was designed to open like a smokebox door; however, it was hinged at the top. The wagons were loaded through the two manholes on the top of the barrel and were emptied by releasing the end door and lifting them at the fixed end of the wagon to tip out the contents, this was further aided by the conical shape of the barrels. These were highly unusual wagons, as they appeared to be similar to their conventional liquid tank wagon counterparts but instead carried powder. They also featured underframes made from pressed steel components, which was a speciality of The Leeds Forge Company. At the end of WW1, these wagons immediately became War Surplus and were disposed of as there was no need for any wagons to transport ammonium nitrate; they were subsequently converted into liquid-carrying tank wagons. This was done by securing the end door and fitting discharge facilities. As almost brand-new wagons, they quickly found homes with several private companies. With these gradually changing hands over the years, they would appear across the country in an eclectic mix of guises."