20t Brake Van BR Grey S54977

20t Brake Van BR Grey S54977

Details:

The Rapido LSWR/WD 20-Ton Brake Van recreates a distinctive brake van design that originated with the London & South Western Railway (LSWR) and went on to serve with a wide range of British railway companies. Developed from an LSWR design and built for the War Department during the First World War, these robust 20-ton brake vans were subsequently distributed among several railway administrations. Their widespread use and distinctive appearance make them an excellent choice for recreating authentic goods and engineering trains on an LSWR, Southern Railway or other British model railway layout.

Features:

• BR No. S54977
• 20T Brake Van
• British Railways Freight Grey
• Panter Axleboxes
• Riveted ducket
• Ribbed buffers
• Side doors
• Roof with 2 rain strips
• Protruding lamp irons
• Disc wheels running in metal bearings
• NEM 362 Coupler Pockets

Historical Background

During the First World War, the War Department required additional brake vans and commissioned vehicles based on an existing LSWR design. The resulting vans were built to a slightly modified version of the design, being approximately 2 inches narrower and 6 inches longer than the original LSWR vehicles. The vans featured an 18ft wooden body and a 10ft 6in wheelbase, with a raised brake compartment and distinctive side duckets providing the guard with a clear view along the train.

Following the end of the war, the War Department no longer required many of these vehicles and they were sold to civilian railway companies. Their robust construction and practical design resulted in remarkably widespread use, with examples finding their way onto the LSWR, Southern Railway, Great Eastern Railway, Great Northern Railway, Great Central Railway, London & North Western Railway, Metropolitan Railway and other systems.

The Southern Railway acquired the remaining examples in 1924, where they continued to serve alongside the company's own brake van designs. The vehicles also saw use in departmental and engineering duties, reflecting their versatility and long service life.

This unusual history makes the LSWR/WD 20-Ton Brake Van particularly appealing to modellers. Its War Department origins and subsequent distribution across Britain's railway network mean that the prototype can legitimately appear in a variety of historical settings, making it a versatile addition to period goods and engineering trains.