Britain’s railways were developed primarily to move freight and over time, a wide range of wagons were developed to suit the varied cargo that the railway companies had been contracted to transport. Among them were short wheelbase, flat bed wagons with a single plank along each edge which was hinged and so could be lowered to allow cargo to be rolled on and off. Such wagons were employed to move things like tractors, motor cars and other relatively small machinery that was happy being exposed to the elements during the journey. Anchor points were provided on the wagon floor so that loads could be tied down, and the cargo could be sheeted if necessary to offer some protection from weather and general railway dirt.
The ‘Lowfit’ wagon depicted by this Bachmann Branchline model was so called because of its low sides and fitted brakes and on the Branchline model, the wagon body is injection moulded, incorporating hinges along each edge and with securing chains represented at each corner. The wooden deck of the wagon is depicted with crisp engraving to define the separate wooden planks, while the metal rings fitted to each anchor point are replicated too. Below the solebar the W irons, axleboxes and springs are all reproduced to great effect, with separate brakes and brake leavers, brake linkage and a vacuum cylinder all present and correct. The model runs on 3-hole disc wheels which are of metal construction whilst metal buffer heads and cosmetic coupling hooks adorn the bufferbeams. Authentic colours and typefaces are employed during the livery application prototype, completing this high-fidelity model.
MODEL FEATURES:
- Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
- Era 4
- Weathered BR Bauxite (Early) livery
- Running No. B450071
- NEM Coupling Pockets
- Length 88mm (over couplings)
