Southern Region – BR 1/801 ‘Blue Spot’ Fish Van OO gauge

PRE-ORDER ITEM – pre-order for estimated delivery late 2024

Exclusive release from The Wagon Yard in partnership with The Bluebell Railway Goods Division. Designed in the UK by Rapido Trains. This high quality, detailed, wagon includes – original buffers, wheels running in metal bearings and NEM coupler pockets. (957020) Blue spot fish vans were made in the 1950’s and 60’s, the first excamples were the LNER Diagram 214 which would become BR Diagram 800. The BR 1 / Diagram 801 vans followed in the early 1960’s these were built at the ex-LNER Faverdale Works in Darlington, County Durham. Faverdale Works was closed in 1963. By 1964 the volume of fish transported by rail had declined so much that British Railways decided to withdraw from the trade. The vans were adapted for various other uses such as transporting parcels Van no.87720 is currently preserved at the Bluebell Railway in Sussex. This van carries the Southern Region warning panel for the limited clearance tunnels found on the Tonbridge to Hastings line. ERA’s: 5, 6 & 7