change of numbering on vanfits.

[westerner]

Could any one tell me the year that covered vans, such as vanfits numbering was changed from just the number at the left hand end and XP etc at the right hand end to a box withtype of vehicle weiight and number at left hand end and XP and wheel base and box at the right hand end? I assume it is something to do with TOPS. I would like to possibly change the lettering on an 0 gauge Dapol van fit.

[Fat Controller]

1 hour ago, westerner said:

Could any one tell me the year that covered vans, such as vanfits numbering was changed from just the number at the left hand end and XP etc at the right hand end to a box withtype of vehicle weiight and number at left hand end and XP and wheel base and box at the right hand end? I assume it is something to do with TOPS. I would like to possibly change the lettering on an 0 gauge Dapol van fit.

It started a long time before TOPS; around 1964. It wasn't universally applied; vehicles were still in circulation in the late 1970s with unboxed numbers and other details, but with the three-letter TOPS code stencilled above. 

[Ramblin Rich]

I asked a while ago whether there are transfers for 'boxed' style numbers for the normal vanfits and someone mentioned that many seemed to stay in the unboxed style as Brian FC said above. A quick flick through Paul Bartlett's site of VVVs and VWVs certainly seems to bear this out with only handful of the boxed variety shown. A fair few don't have TOPS codes at all even in the late 1970s.

The next question it where to get transfers to add on the VVV or VWV codes to existing number sets....

[westerner]

Thanks chaps, oddly I am thinking of taking the boxes off, as my layout Blakeney is set in 64-65 period.

[Il Grifone]

Wagons were repainted infrequently, if at all, and it is unlikely that the lettering would have have been boxed otherwise. (Can't be bothered....)

For 1964/5 one or two wagons could be in fresh paint with the box and the rest in varying states of weathering.

I understand that the body colour went from bauxite to brown about the same time.

[Fat Controller]

Just looked at Railtec's list. They do Sheet 6413, with post 1964 boxes, but with 'Vanfit/ Van' lettering, and 6429 which have load, tare and number in boxes, but neither Van or TOPS codes. There may be others; certainly they do various 'Big 4' sheets.

[Ramblin Rich]

Apologies to 'westerner' for drifting the thread subject; I asked Railtec a couple of years ago about doing some numbers with VVV codes but nothing happened. Might try again, or just ask for a sheet of VVV codes to add to others!