This attractive example of a Mk3 quarrymen's carriage turned brake van is very much a period piece now showing the van in the orange livery it wore through much of the 1990's and wearing the number 2.
This is how it was known for around 40 years after the preservationists takeover until the fleet of heritage vehicles was re-numbered in the mid-90's, a state of affairs that still leaves many of us - me included - confused.
What I grew up calling Van 2 - and have this model of - is now known as Van 6.
Carriage 6 - a first class 'bug box' - is now carriage number 2.
And carriage number 10 is now Van 2.
(I hope you're remembering all this because I certainly struggle to.)
As for the history of the van / carriage, it is said to have been converted in 1908, when the bodyshell was cut back at one end the the balcony added on.
Between the two world wars it was also fitted with air brakes and used on the WHR.
In the early years of the FR revival it was often pressed into passenger service as part of the famous 'Flying Flea' set of four wheeled carriages, with room for 6 people.
Our model was adapted - in much the same style as the prototype - from a Parkside Dundas plastic kit for one of the Mk 3 Quarrymen's, with windows cut into the ends and a balcony rail added in brass.
Van 6 is once more running around in green livery and I may well find myself making another model in this condition at some point in the future.
Think you have a typing error carriage number 6 is now number 2.
ReplyDeleteThanks Glenn. Fixed that now. Rob
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