GNR Gresley bogie milk van 51'1 1/2"
This bogie van was described at some length and detail over 5 pages in Model Rail April 2005 (see Articles Index) and was in three parts:
- vehicle history - formations in service - the model
I cannot possibly repeat all that here (see Useful Links for a reliable source of the back issue from the Vintage Carriages Trust) but I can add pictures to show what the four versions looked like as-built and in BR days. There's nine illustrations altogether.
By way of a reminder here are two pictures of the model and a summary of the Diagrams:
A general view of the model in LNER varnished teak with lining that was eventually dropped in mid-LNER days. The teak is darker than normal to represent ageing. It's also in weathered condition which is far better looking than the ex-works finish with a white roof!
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A close up of the middle of the carriage. No 44 was built to the fourth Diagram in 1921-22.
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The four Diagrams were:
Date |
Diagram |
LNER Nos. |
|
------------ |
------------ |
----------------- |
|
1909 |
GN.326 |
4155-57 |
|
1912-13 |
GN.325A |
4151-54 |
|
1920 |
GN.309 |
467-470* |
|
1921-22 |
GN.310 |
41-49, 400-10 |
|
------------------ |
------------ |
----------------- |
|
*1923 rebuild |
GN.311B |
468-470 |
- with offset gangways as postal stowage vans |
The MR article has all the numbers from GNR days and notes about detail variations in the body, roof and underframe, as-built and over time. The D&S kit was produced to GN.310 but other versions are possible of course. Illustrations follow in two batches, GNR and BR.
As-built
Since writing the article not only have more photographs turned up but I have got a copy of the GNR Diagram book and it's possible to examine even more detail than before.
I don't have a picture of the first design so can only show the second one but the Diagrams show that they were very similar except for one feature. Both diagrams were gas lit with eight short skylights, clearly visible on the photograph of No 3013 to GN.325A. Both Diagrams were captioned "Bogie Milk Van" and detailed "to carry 48 and 57 churns" either side of the guard's position. Both also had an opening covered by a drop flap in the ends. It can be seen in the photograph (and in the interior view below) and was discontinued in later Diagrams.
The main difference was that the first Diagram had narrower panelling which means that that version cannot be made from the D&S kit.
Note that the photograph shows a livery which contains the legend "MILK VAN" which does not appear in later photographs even though one of the titles and description refers to milk and churns. This gets complicated and I'll touch on it in due course. It's also noticeable that BR applied the single word "MILK" on some of these vans. Photo: author's collection.
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No detail was placed on the back of this Drawing Office print but it can be identified as either of the first two Diagrams by the larger number of skylights and the flap in the end. This was probably provided so that spillages of milk could be washed out. Rancid milk is quite unpleasant and this feature could also have been used to aid ventilation but was discontinued. Photo: author's collection.
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This picture shows No 954 to the third Diagram, GN.309 built in 1920. Unusually, it was titled "LUGGAGE BRAKE VAN" and the number of toplights was reduced to four but double the length and the end openings dispensed with. It was intended for general use and hinged shelves were provided and dual brakes, vacuum and Westinghouse.
This one, the second built in this batch, was still gas-lit although a dynamo was also provided and the Diagram amended for electric lighting, which may have been introduced during construction or replaced later. Photo: author's collection.
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Finally we come to the fourth Diagram and No 963. GN.310 was the same as the previous one - but dual-purpose titled "LUGGAGE BRAKE AND
This LNER period picture is confusing and though known to have been built to GN.310 in 1922, it was still gas-lit when shopped in 1928. Photo: author's collection.
Dare I add that Panchromatic film was used for this picture and it has captured the variability of the teak panels, a feature that I hadn't grasped when I built the model.
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The Diagram for GN.310. The title was all-embracing. Note the oak panels to protect the floor from the churns' steel rims when loading. Running numbers are quoted above.
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BR period
My apologies for such a grotty image, one of two taken at Wolverhampton Low Level in 1959, the running number invisible under a layer of grime. Photo: Coutanche collection.
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Another ex-GNR bogie milk van at Wolverhampton Low Level in 1959, this one E45E built in 1921 to the last Diagram, GN.310. Photo: Coutanche collection.
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This picture dates from 22nd May 1961 and was also taken on the WR, at Oxford, and also from the last Diagram. Note the branding "MILK". However it was built, it's electrically lit now with the battery boxes on the far side. Running next to it is a BR Mk.1 GUV, what a contrast! Photo: N.D. Mundy.
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The final view in this batch is undated and the location unknown but it's the best of the BR pictures and another to GN.310 of the last Diagram and also branded "MILK". The carriage next to it is ex-LMS. Photo: author's collection.
I showed another one in this condition in the Model Rail article and a summary of the BR-period ones with "MILK" branding is:
E47E, E407E, E409E.
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Conversion to postal stowage van
Three were converted to GN.311B as described above, the telegraphic code being POT, short for Post Office Tender. These illustrations also appear in the LNER TPO section (see link below).
My apologies for a scruffy image of which no details are known. Possibly at Doncaster.
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This is E470E and was captured coupled to a Gresley TPO. Photo: Dennis Seabrook, author's collection.
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Related links:
Postal Services - LNER and ER
