GWR Fruit van in grey

[Guest Jack Benson]

Hi,

 

Can I ask about the livery of this model,  what was the timeframe for this livery?

 

Thank you

 

StaySafe

[The Johnster]

This is the ‘late’ GWR goods livery, I think dating from 1936 but I’m happy to be corrected, and lasting until nationalisation.  It could of course be seen in service much later than that, well into the early BR period. 

[Garethp8873]

48 minutes ago, The Johnster said:

This is the ‘late’ GWR goods livery, I think dating from 1936 but I’m happy to be corrected, and lasting until nationalisation.  It could of course be seen in service much later than that, well into the early BR period. 

 

Yes, post-1936 GWR livery. Livery would of lasted into early BR at least until the wagon needed work or an overhaul.

[GWR_Modeller]

The r/n and design means it represents a 1937-38 built goods fruit van.  I read somewhere this design was used for channel island tomato traffic which explains the 'Return to Weymouth Quay' marking.  The XP mark was introduced late 1938.

[Guest Jack Benson]

Thanks to those who responded.

 

The model was bought because our layout is based on the planned LSWR Dorchester-Exeter route, any local stock such as the Weymouth traffic is of interest. Moreover our timeframe is ‘48-50, an odd choice but it allows pre-grouping stock to run alongside with the Southern’s air-smoothed Pacifics, the ‘36 livery van will be perfect once it has been suitably neglected.

 

I wonder if Gerry Beale has a stash of these beautiful wagons? 
 

StaySafe and thanks.

 

 

[Hal Nail]

Whilst wheelswaps did occur, I think it would have had the 3 hole type as built.

[Bulwell Hall]

I certainly have a few of them!  They were introduced as part of a general improvement to the GWRs facilities for handling the Channel Island traffic.  Most importantly the Weymouth Harbour Tramway was significantly improved by easing the sharp curve at Ferry's Corner and other improvements were proposed but delayed by the outbreak of WW2.  There is a photo - below - showing a complete train of these vans leaving Weymouth when they were new but in practice they seem to have become intermingled with other fruit and ventilated vans.  The second photo shows the recently completed easing work at Ferry's Corner in 1938/9 with some of the Fruit vans stabled ready to be worked down to the Quay for loading.  The third photo shows a train on Custom House Quay with the usual random mix of vans whilst the recently acquired GWR pamphlet gives instructions for working the traffic - an it is a fascinating read!

 

Hope this is of interest and I haven't gone over the top again!

 

Gerry

[57xx]

On 20/03/2021 at 14:38, Bulwell Hall said:

Hope this is of interest and I haven't gone over the top again!

 

Over the top? Far from it, very good pics.

[5050]

Those advertisement hoardings are brilliant!  Love the 'Digger Tobacco' one.