Rapido trains UK have announced the LSWR / War Departement 20t Brake Vans. later SR Diagrams 1545 and Diagram 1549 in 00 Gauge.
Thirty five new 20 ton brake vans to a design by Surrey Warner were introduced by the London & South Western Railway (LSWR) in 1907, they had an 18ft body on a 10ft 6in wheelbase underframe, were fitted with a veranda at either end and duckets on either side. They also had a separate goods compartment from the guards’ area, making them ideal for parcels and light goods duties. They were later issued SR Diagram 1545.
During the First World War the War Department (WD) adopted the LSWR 20t Brake Van design as standard, only amending it so that it was 2in narrower. These were constructed by numerous contractors throughout 1917 and 1918, and most of them were sent over to mainland Europe. After the war, at least 250 of the WD built 20t Brake Vans were returned to the UK and were allocated to number of pre-grouping railway companies to replace other vans lost during the hostilities.
Twenty of them remained unallocated when the railways were grouped in 1923; these were subsequently purchased by Southern Railway. As they were slightly different to those that they had inherited from the LSWR, they gave them Diagram number 1549 and numbered 55100 to 55119. Some examples survived through to the last days of BR steam, as they were still favoured for branch line work.
The Rapido trains UK 00 Gauge LSWR / WD 20t Brake Van will be available in 21 (yes 21) livery versions including early LSWR, WD, Pre-grouping (GER, NBR, Cambrian, Metropolitan), Grouping (LNER, GWR, LPTB) and BR versions. The tooling suite includes a variety of variations including duckets that are panelled, boarded or plain riveted, roofs either with or without rain strips, panelled or doored sides, 2 types of buffers, 3 types of axle boxes, and a plethora of handrail combinations; however as the width difference between the LSWR and WD versions is only 0.66mm in 4mm scale there is only a single width body tooling.
Each model will have a multitude of separately fitted parts, including highly detailed brake gear, running boards, lamp irons, and a chimney. The van’s interior contains an internal partition, chairs, a stove, and a handbrake. All versions are fitted with NEM 362 standard coupler sockets, metal bearings and either Split-spoked or 3-hole disc wheels.
The LSWR/SR/BR(s) versions being produced (currently in tooling) with an RRP of £44.95, are as follow:
- 820001: LSWR 20T Diagram 1545 Brake Van – No. 6529 LSWR Brown
- 820002: LSWR 20T Diagram 1545 Brake Van – No. 4186 LSWR Brown
- 820009: WD/SR 20T Diagram 1549 Brake Van – No. 55114 SR Brown (pre-36)
- 820010: LSWR/SR 20T Diagram 1545 Brake Van – No. 54973 SR. Brown (pre-36)
- 820014: WD/SR 20T Diagram 1549 Brake Van – No. 55104 SR Brown (post-36)
- 820015: LSWR/SR 20T Diagram 1545 Brake Van – No. 54959 SR Brown (post-36)
- 820019: WD/SR/BR(s) 20T Diagram 1549 Brake Van – No. S55112 BR(S) Brown
- 820018: WD/SR/BR(s) 20T Diagram 1549 Brake Va – No. S55106 BR(S) Brown
- 820021: WD/SR/BR(s) 20T Diagram 1549 Brake Va – No. S55112 BR Grey
- 820020: LSWR/SR/BR(s) 20T Brake Van – No. S54977 BR Grey
Rapido trains UK have also today announced, all in oo gauge, a range of GWR covered vans the: G31 & G34 MOGO, X9 MICA A and the V32 TEVAN.
As is usual for Rapido trains UK all the above wagons, due during 2027, are available to pre-order through retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre here.