Tank Wagons -Brakes

[KLee55]

Does anyone know whether tank wagons, especially of the 20 ton anchor mounted type, used by BR during the late 50s/60s were generally fitted or unfitted?

[Fat Controller]

7 hours ago, KLee55 said:

Does anyone know whether tank wagons, especially of the 20 ton anchor mounted type, used by BR during the late 50s/60s were generally fitted or unfitted?

Almost all unfitted until the 'ESSO' tanks appeared in 1958. Thereafter it took a decade or so for the unfitted fleet to be eliminated; a lot of the Class B ones lasted on flows to steel-works and similar until the beginning of the 1970s. Unfitted tanks were being built into the late 1950s; by this time, some were being delivered with roller-bearings.

[Wickham Green too]

8 hours ago, KLee55 said:

..... tank wagons ..... used by BR ......

BR, themselves, used very few tank wagons, of course.

[The Johnster]

Tank wagons were traditionally considered as 'mineral' wagons, privately owned and not to be capable of running in passenger trains as 'XP' branded, so little thought would have been given to providing them with vacuum or air brakes until the advent of fast block trains dating from Esso's use of long wheelbase 60mph fitted tanks on such trains in 1958.  Within a decade, 100ton 60mph bogie air-braked block trains were running, without brake vans after the single manning agreement in 1969.

[KLee55]

Many thanks for replies