Banana Vans

[scottiedog]

In 1931 Elders & Fyffes moved the import of bananas from Hull to Southampton. In view of the LNER's loss of traffic requiring specialist vans and to assist the SR some 200+ ex NER, ex GCR and ex GER banana vans were hired to the SR. In return the SR loaned the LNER the same number of covered goods vans.

 

What was/were the SR diagram number/numbers of the the covered goods vans which were lent to the LNER?

 

Additionally the LNER banana vans retained their red oxide livery but were temporarily re-lettered SR. Did the SR vans retain their brown livery and were they too temporarily re-lettered LNER? 

 

Did the vans receive new numbers when they were under temporary  "ownership"  and if so what were they.

[Sasquatch]

The LNER bananas kept thier LNER numbers but had large S R branding added! Having not been built by the Southern I doubt they would have been allocated any diagram numbers.

Of the 325 vans involved, 60-70 were lost in a fire on 5 June 1936 and the LNER requested the return of the others in November the folloing year. This prompted the Southern to build a large batch of its own. Not much is known from here probably due to the war.

The Hornby refridgerator van makes for a simple conversion as the North Eastern converted these vans for use as banana vehicles.

 

Shaun

[Sasquatch]

I can't find anything on the SR vans lent to the LNER. They might make interesting model subjects.

I`d bet on them being pregrouping types!

[scottiedog]

"Big Foot"

 

Thanks for your comments. I think I will run one on my layout, Stainsby, when it is next out at Wigan this year. I will choose a suitable pre-grouping prototype, paint it in SR Brown and letter it for the LNER.That will confuse a few people!

 

There is a photograph on page 93 of Tatlows LNER Wagons Vol 2 of an NER Banana Van. This was taken at Barmouth in 1924! It is a conversion of an NER Dia G2 and looking at it, all that need to be done is to change the doors! Hmmm! Now where is my to build kit box? As Stainsby is set in the mid 1930s it will have to be lettered SR. It does not look as if it was a fitted vehicle but appears to be through piped. Grey or Red Oxide paint. Red Oxide me thinks. Even more confused people now!!

 

Scottiedog

[jwealleans]

I've had a scan through An Illustrated History of Southern Wagons Vol 4 and while it mentions the loan of the banana vans to the SR in some detail it doesn't mention any reciprocal arrangement.  in fact the authors make the fair point that given the loss of the traffic through Hull these vans might have been idle.

 

You'd have thought SR vans with NE lettering would have attracted a bit of attention - the various wartime builds of other companies' diagrams seem to have.

 

I'll raise the query on the LNER e-group.

[Sasquatch]

I've had a scan through An Illustrated History of Southern Wagons Vol 4 and while it mentions the loan of the banana vans to the SR in some detail it doesn't mention any reciprocal arrangement.  in fact the authors make the fair point that given the loss of the traffic through Hull these vans might have been idle.

 

You'd have thought SR vans with NE lettering would have attracted a bit of attention - the various wartime builds of other companies' diagrams seem to have.

 

I'll raise the query on the LNER e-group.

I quite agree.

One other point is that the LNER favoured sliding door vans because of loading at numerous depots did not permit the use of hinged doors. So presumably any vans sent north wouldn`t have been of much use! 

[Sasquatch]

"Big Foot"

 

Thanks for your comments. I think I will run one on my layout, Stainsby, when it is next out at Wigan this year. I will choose a suitable pre-grouping prototype, paint it in SR Brown and letter it for the LNER.That will confuse a few people!

 

There is a photograph on page 93 of Tatlows LNER Wagons Vol 2 of an NER Banana Van. This was taken at Barmouth in 1924! It is a conversion of an NER Dia G2 and looking at it, all that need to be done is to change the doors! Hmmm! Now where is my to build kit box? As Stainsby is set in the mid 1930s it will have to be lettered SR. It does not look as if it was a fitted vehicle but appears to be through piped. Grey or Red Oxide paint. Red Oxide me thinks. Even more confused people now!!

 

Scottiedog

Here`s my rather poor take on the NER G2 conversion. I used a Thomas circus van,  slaters wooden underframe and spare parkside brake bits. It's not spot on more cheap-n-cheerful.