Rolling Stock Department
Wagons and Engineers Vehicles
Intro | Steam Locomotives | Diesel Locomotives | Coaches | DEMUs | DMUs | EMUs | Wagons | Other
Our fleet of wagons and engineers vehicles is small but diverse, some doubling up for both duties.
Wagons
Goods wagons of all shapes and sizes were once a common sight at every railway station, sometimes the goods traffic was more important than the passengers using the station.
'Vanwide' B783563 built by BR Wolverhampton 1962 (lot 3391):
Before and after restoration
Once numerous and used for the transportation of all kinds of parcels and merchandise. Since arriving at the railway in army livery (carrying the number WGB 4182 as pictured left), it has been restored into original BR Bauxite livery, complete with sign-written numbers.
British Railways Standard Goods Brake Van B955096 Built Ashford 1962, Lot 3394
Once a common sight at the end of every freight train across the network, this van ended its life being used by London Transport to act as guards van when transferring its Heritage fleet around the Underground network. On loan to us from the London Transport Museum, and having been recently restored into its original BR (unfitted) light grey livery, complete with many original fittings.
British Railways VDA, "Ferry Van" 200780, Built Ashford 1976
These wagons were designed for the faster freight trains as BR tried to update its rolling stock. The design was introduced in 1975 and they had a number of uses and liveries, being very useful with both sliding and opening doors, enabling direct access to all parts of the vehicle. Our van was used by the army, and still carries the identity "WGB 4311".
Engineer's Vehicles
Ruston Shunters
We have three Ruston 88s; on the line which perform engineering duties.
RH 512572 of 1965 just restored to working order and has been repainted.
RH 398616 of 1956 out of service and used for spares to keep RH 512572 in service.
Ruston "Number 95" which was a kind donation from Docklands Light Railway. This Ruston is slightly different from the other two, with square buffers and also air brakes. Unfortunately while stored, water falling down the exhaust pipe filled up the cylinders, which are subsequently rust-pitted and require replacement.
Plasser & Theurer 07-16 Universal Tamper-Liner (previously 73241)
Used for track maintenance removing dips in the track and minor alignment movements to ensure a smooth ride.
Before the common use of the telephone telegrams sent using a form of morse code were used across the rail network. To keep these messages short but clear many things were given 'code names' often animal or fish names were used to describe engineers vehicles, a tradition that is still carried on today.
GWR 'Macaw B' 60ft Flatbed Wagon
Built for the Great Western Railway and designed to carry rails for the track engineers, a purpose for which it is still very useful.
'Rectank' B909074, Built Swindon 1960
Built for carrying Army Tanks (hence the telegraphic name) and latterly used by the engineers departments for carrying heavy plant and equipment. This vehicle is very useful with its 38.5t capacity, and our team have recently completely restored the vehicle, repainting the frames and replacing all the wooden decking, finished off with its lettering.
'Shark' Ballast Plough & Brake Van BXXXXX of 1959
Used to spread track ballast after it has been laid as well as a guards brake van on engineers trains. Unfortunately due to the original plates being removed, we are unsure of the number, it could be 99385? The Shark is currently undergoing restoration, having had a new roof covering applied. During the time without proper covering, the rain penetrated into some of the timbers which are currently being replaced prior to the vehicle being repainted into an authentic BR colour.
'Dogfish' 20T ballast hopper
With doors able to spread ballast to all parts of the track (either side and down the middle) this is a very useful ballast carrying vehicle.
Plasser Ballast Hopper - "Twin Bin 100"
Donated to us by the Docklands Light Railway this is a more modern (and perhaps unique) version of the 'Dogfish'. Rebuilt from ballast hopper of regulator 77307 c. 1995 (and possibly hopper from 77334 too?)
Taylor & Hubbard RCE Light Duty Diesel Mechanical Crane 81027
Used for light engineering works and currently in BR yellow livery, this crane has its runner and match trucks. This is currently being repainted ready for service on EOR.