Conflat Wagon BR Bauxite B740342 w/AF Birds Eye Containers

Conflat Wagon BR Bauxite B740342 w/AF Birds Eye Containers

Model

1:148 Scale model produced by Graham Farish. This model is ready-to-run and will make a great addition to any model railway collection.

Model Features

• 1:148 Scale Model
• N gauge Conflat Wagon in BR Bauxite Early livery with two AF insulated ‘Birds Eye’ containers (377-341D)
• Accurate representation of early British Railways containerised freight traffic from the 1950s and 1960s
• Highly detailed wagon and containers with realistic planked deck, chassis detail and finely moulded container fittings
• Equipped with metal wheelsets and NEM coupling pockets for reliable running and modern N gauge compatibility
• This model is best suited to 228mm radius curves
• This model is fitted with NEM style couplings

Details

Add authentic early British Railways container traffic to your N gauge layout with the Graham Farish Conflat Wagon in BR Bauxite (Early) with Two AF Containers ‘Birds Eye’ (377-341D), a finely detailed model representing one of the pioneering forms of intermodal freight transport in post-war Britain. Finished in BR bauxite with two distinctive AF insulated containers carrying iconic Birds Eye branding, this model perfectly captures the evolution of refrigerated and containerised rail freight during the 1950s and 1960s.

The Conflat wagon was developed to carry removable freight containers, allowing quicker and more efficient transfer of goods between rail and road transport. AF-type containers were insulated units specifically designed for temperature-sensitive cargo such as frozen food and perishables. With the rapid growth of frozen food consumption in Britain during the post-war era, companies such as Birds Eye relied heavily on the railway network to distribute products nationwide, making wagons like these an increasingly familiar sight across the country.

The Graham Farish model faithfully recreates both the Conflat wagon and twin AF containers in N gauge, featuring detailed planked decking, realistic chassis and brake gear, finely moulded container bodywork and crisp period-correct Birds Eye graphics. The combination of classic BR freight styling and colourful commercial branding makes this wagon an eye-catching addition to any steam-era or transition-era layout.

Historical Background

Container-based rail freight in Britain dates back to the early 20th century, with railway companies developing specialised wagons to improve loading efficiency and reduce handling times. The Conflat wagon became one of the most successful designs, capable of carrying a wide variety of removable containers suited to different cargoes. Following nationalisation in 1948, British Railways expanded container operations significantly, including the use of insulated AF containers for transporting frozen and perishable foods. Birds Eye, one of Britain’s best-known frozen food brands, became closely associated with refrigerated distribution by rail during the post-war period. Wagons such as this played an important role in the development of modern intermodal freight transport and remain highly popular among railway modellers and collectors today.