12t Ventilated Fruit Van BR Early Bauxite E222078

12t Ventilated Fruit Van BR Early Bauxite E222078

Model

1:76 Scale model produced by Bachmann. This model is ready-to-run and will make a great addition to any model railway collection.

Model Features

• 1:76 Scale Model
• OO gauge model of the LNER 12T Ventilated Fruit Van in BR Bauxite Early Crest livery (38-385B)
• Accurate representation of British Railways Era 4 freight stock used widely across the UK in the 1950s
• Highly detailed wooden-bodied construction with fine plank engraving, sliding doors and roof ventilators
• NEM coupling pockets and fine-scale wheelsets for smooth running and reliable OO gauge operation
• This model is best suited to 381mm radius curves
• This model is fitted with NEM style couplings

Details

Bring authentic British railway freight history to your OO gauge layout with the Bachmann LNER 12T Ventilated Fruit Van in BR Bauxite (Early) Livery (38-385B), a finely detailed model representing one of the most important covered goods wagons to operate during the early British Railways era. Finished in pristine BR bauxite with early crest markings, this model captures the transition period following nationalisation in 1948, when former LNER-designed wagons were absorbed into the newly formed British Railways fleet.

Based on the classic LNER 12-ton ventilated fruit van design, this wagon was specifically built to transport perishable goods such as fruit, benefiting from ventilated sides and roof fittings that allowed air circulation while protecting cargo from the elements. Its distinctive wooden-bodied construction, sliding doors and ventilated design made it an essential part of express goods and perishables traffic across the UK railway network.

The Bachmann Branchline model accurately reproduces this iconic freight vehicle in OO scale, featuring finely engraved planking, detailed sliding doors, separately fitted handles, roof ventilators and a highly detailed underframe. Representing British Railways Era 4 (1948–1956), it is ideal for early steam-era goods trains and authentic mixed freight formations.

Historical Background

The 12-ton ventilated fruit van originated with the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) and was designed for the transport of perishable goods requiring airflow, particularly fruit traffic. Featuring ventilated ends and roof fittings, the design helped maintain freshness during transit while still offering protection from weather conditions. Following the formation of British Railways in 1948, large numbers of these vans were absorbed into national service and repainted into the early BR bauxite livery with the distinctive early crest. They became a common sight across the network during the 1950s, operating in both express goods and local freight services.

Today, the LNER 12T Ventilated Fruit Van is a highly popular subject for railway modellers and collectors, representing the early post-war transition era and the continuation of pre-nationalisation engineering designs under British Railways.