ACC2078-TMC3 Accurascale OO Gauge SR D1478 Van - BR Pre-1961 Livery - TMC Exclusive - Single Pack 3

Single Pack

Containing wagon, numbered:

• S50672

The SR built its own fleet of 200 Banana vans to Diagram 1478 in 1935, and expanded the fleet by ordering a further 125 vans under diagram 1479, hence the two different body styles.

The vans were re-liveried from original stone into BR Bauxite and as banana traffic continued into the 1950s, branded gummed labels for Fyffes and Geest became common, fixed to the sides of the vans. A third importer, Jamaica Producers, also utilised the vans and used labels as depicted by the two TMC single packs. In the mid 1950's the nature of banana imports began to change with conditions necessitating a change in how the fruit was transported. Ripening the fruit became less of an issue, which negated the need for using steam, as increased insulation was all that was needed. From 1956 the steam controls on individual vehicles began to be removed and the insulation increased, although the steam pipes were retained for the time being but were gradually removed. Between 1961 and 1963, the increase in insulation resulted in the addition of a yellow circle to the van sides and by the end of 1963 all steam pipes had been removed permanently from the banana vans which ran like this until 1968 when banana traffic by rail dwindled.

Although built by the SR the vans were not restricted to traffic from Southampton in BR days and photographs of them can be found in various locations around the country; Avonmouth and Garston [Liverpool] were other ports that they worked from.

Common features:

• Pack of three wagons, each with individual numbers
• Die-cast metal chassis with plastic body
• 60g Weight per Wagon
• Scale length of 70mm over headstocks
• Wheelbase of 40mm, allowing operation over a minimum radius of 371mm (Radius 1 Set-Track)
• Three styles of wheel design; Split spoke, single spoke and 3-hole disc
• RP25.110 chemically blackened OO gauge wheel sets
• Blackened brass bearings conforming‚‚to accurascale standards of 14.4mm back-to-back on 2mm axles over 26mm pinpoints.‚‚
• Eroded metal, plastic and wire detail parts, including, but not limited to, handrails, grab handles, door handles, lamp brackets, vacuum and steam pipes, though pipes, steam heating cock and break gear.‚‚
• Turned sprung metal buffers
• NEM standard coupler pockets
• Narrow tension lock couplers included
• Individual lettering and codes from real wagons for authenticity
• Accessory Bag included contains steam/vacuum hoses and screw couplings