Flash Sale: Save extra 10% off Revolution Trains 'N' 'Cartic-4s'
Until 23.59, Friday October 3, we're offering an EXTRA 10% OFF these 'Cartic-4' wagons from Revolution Trains, using code CAR10 on checkout.
Railways haven’t always just hauled coal, coal, and more coal. One of the most fascinating niches in UK rail freight has been car transport — moving vehicles from factories or ports to dealers by train.
Revolution Trains' N gauge car‑carrier wagons bring this legacy to your layout in beautiful 1:148 scale. Here’s a look back at how these wagons evolved — and why their design makes them such a compelling model today.
The Early Days: Motorail & car‑carrying by rail
Stills from the British Pathe film, 'Car And You By Train'.
The concept of carrying road vehicles by rail dates back to early 20th century experiments, but the first real scheduled long-distance service in the UK was the Car‑Sleeper Limited (1955) between London and Perth. This combined passenger and car transport service let motorists load their cars onto a flat wagon overnight.
In 1966, British Rail formalised the Motorail brand, launching services between cities and linking cars with overnight passenger traffic.
While Motorail waned later, the concept of moving cars by rail persisted in freight form — from factories to terminals, ports, and showrooms.
Evolution of car carrier wagons in the UK
The Cartic‑4 articulated wagons emerged between 1966 and 1972. These were specially designed car carriers, often used in block flows for vehicle logistics. The Cartic‑4 design was innovative: articulated sets with inner vehicles sharing bogies to reduce weight and complexity while maximizing capacity.
A rare appearance of a Class 37 at the helm of a 'Cartic-4' at the front of this trip working. With Immingham depot plaque, 37049 'Imperial' powers under the wires through Warrington Bank Quay on April 3, 1992. Note the later side mesh screen fitted to this set of four vehicles. Howard Smith (TS collection)
Many of these wagons were built for private automotive transport firms (such as MAT, Silcock & Collings, Tolemans), while some were commissioned by British Rail, including use in Motorail operations.
Over the decades, usage shifted — as Motorail disappeared, these wagons settled into pure freight roles: carrying new vehicles from factories to ports, or distributing them to dealerships, often in long block movements or scheduled flows via the rail network.
Still carrying Railfreight red stripe livery with large logo, with cab-side vinyl now gone, 47302 'Meridian' with Thornaby depot Kingfisher emblem hauls a 12-wagon rake, led by a Cartic-4 with Silcock Express branding on August 26, 1993. Howard Smith (TS collection)
Liveries evolved too: many of the STVA (Société de Transport de Véhicules Automobiles) car carriers started in pale grey, later switched to red, and after STVA was acquired by Groupe CAT, some wagons were repainted in its dark blue scheme.
As traffic patterns changed and newer logistics solutions emerged, many of these articulated sets were withdrawn or reassigned — making them even more evocative of an era when rail played a core role in the British car supply chain.
The 2mm:1ft scale model
With lengthy MAT set in tow, 47299 with hastily-applied Railfreight Distribution lettering has ample work on June 23, 1994. Though not available with roofs from Revolution Trains, such a project would favour keen 3D-print designers. Howard Smith (TS collection)
Revolution Trains’ N gauge car carriers are based on the Cartic‑4 story, capturing both the engineering features and the aesthetic of this classic design. Models include prototypical detailing: underframe brake equipment, articulation joints, and multiple livery and set variations.
They’re offered in configurations with protective sides/roofs, too, providing flexibility for modellers to recreate both open and covered car transport scenes.
Because these wagons operated across Britain (and sometimes in ferry or cross-channel flows), they’re versatile for many regions and layout eras.
Own yours
In honour of this legacy, we’re running a 24‑hour flash sale on these Revolution car carriers:
Discounted price: £134.96
Available in limited quantities here
Perfect for modern layout scenes, road‑vehicle logistics, or capturing a slice of freight history
Pre-order during the flash sale — and let your layout tell the story of an era when rail hauled cars by the trainload!
