Kernow LSWR road vans

Attention to detail extends to plank detail on the underside of the roof at the veranda end – very impressive!

◆ SCALE ‘OO’ ◆ MODEL KMRC SB003A/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/J/K LSWR 10t road van

◆ PRICE £34.99 each ◆ AVAILABILITY Kernow Model Rail Centre

Tel 01209 714099 Web www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com

At the time of the Grouping, the Southern Railway inherited a large stock of brake vans from the London & South Western Railway, over two thirds of which were of the single-veranda variety. First introduced in 1884, the vehicles offered a small cargo compartment in addition to the guard’s accommodation.

A set of double doors on each side permitted the loading of parcels or other lightweight goods, which gave rise, sometime later, to the term ‘Road Van’, to differentiate them from traditional goods brake vans. Their use for conveying goods seems to have dwindled from the 1920s onwards, with the side doors being sealed shut on many vehicles to reduce draughts in the guard’s quarters.

Kernow Model Rail Centre (KMRC) has chosen to replicate the most numerous of this type, which were built between 1884 and 1905. Nearly 500 examples were constructed, each featuring external framework to the timber body and 8.5in wide horizontal planks. This pattern was classified by the Southern as Diagram 1541.

The 10T vans offered only a modest amount of braking force, compared to the more usual 20+tons mass of other contemporary brake vans. Therefore, they were sometimes employed in pairs for heavier trains and were used across the LSWR system, as far west as Cornwall. Under SR ownership, they travelled further afield, including to the Isle of Wight, and many examples lasted in BR use well into the 1960s, including within the Departmental fleet. Four examples survived into preservation, including one van being chosen for the National Collection.

TOP TEN

KMRC is offering ten different versions in this first batch of models, spanning the LSWR, SR, BR and preservation eras. Accordingly, there’s a choice of LSWR/SR ‘goods brown’ or BR pale grey body colours, with all manner of lettering and number variations. We’ll come to the finish in a moment, but first let’s look at the fabric of the model itself.

Compared to a set of scale drawings published in

Model Railway Journal (Issue 32), all key dimensions have been captured faithfully, including the 10ft 6in wheelbase.

The width of the planking is also correct, including the slightly narrower (6.5in) planks at the veranda end. What’s more, the character of the prototype has been carried off perfectly.

The parts are crisply moulded, with separate handrails rendered in a resilient, flexible plastic, while the various lamp brackets are impressive. The stove chimney even has a hole in the top, rather than a solid moulding and the glazing, complete with protective bars, is neatly executed.

A couple of detail differences are catered for, most notably in the choice of plain or ribbed buffer shanks and straight or inward-angled step board brackets, the latter being a feature of vans employed on the Isle of Wight. I initially thought that the bufferheads were brass fittings, but they’re actually ultra-fine plastic mouldings. Attention to detail extends to plank detail on the underside of the roof at the veranda end – very impressive!

The underframes boast fine suspension and axlebox detail, while the step boards correctly feature toe guards at the veranda end. The brake actuating gear is present, and the brake shoes are linked with yokes and levers. The eightspoke wheels feature refined flanges, and the axles turn freely, allowing the wagon to run smoothly and quietly.

TENSION MENTION

Pivoting NEM coupler pockets are installed, fitting around the brake cross-shafts, which is very welcome. The slimline tension lock couplers themselves are of a slightly different pattern to the norm, but they worked effectively with other stock during test-running.

The level of finish is high across all ten models, with the sharp separation between the brown and red colours on the LSWR/SR versions being notable. All printing is crisp and legible, including the solebar-mounted numberplates.

All in all, this makes for a very attractive model, depicting an important steam-era prototype for BR(SR), SR and LSWR enthusiasts. (GD)