Rapido Trains UK has announced that it will soon release OO Gauge models of a BR 12-ton Fish Van with Blue Spot, Ice Blue, parcel, and departmental liveries.
The model will be to BR Diagram 1/801 van and are fitted with metal bearings for free running.
They include many separately fitted parts, including steps on the departmental versions, two different types of buffers, and separate label boards will be provided to allow modellers to fit them as required.
Fish vans were originally introduced by the LNER, initially on a short wheelbase but later developments but later on a larger 15-foot wheelbase.
From 1949 British Railways took over construction of the Insul-Fish vans, making them suitable for use in passenger trains and fitted with LNER eight-shoe brake gear and steam heat pipes.
Vans built to Diagram 800 had standard oil axleboxes, but some were later upgraded to roller bearings.
The 1/801 diagram fish van is the final version, having a 15-foot wheelbase with a 21-foot 8-inch body and fitted with roller bearings to allow use at up to 60 mph. Roller-bearing versions had a Blue Spot designation on the bodyside.
These vans featured several different types of body, mainly around the diagonal end bracing and the side doors.. A total of 558 vans were produced in three batches between 1960 and 1961.
As the transport of fish by rail declined, fish traffic services came to an end in 1968 when many vans were transferred for use in parcels traffic (coded NRV and later SPV under TOPS) and repainted into BR rail blue livery with the double arrow logo.
Other vans were modified for use as by engineers use, as barrier vehicles, and support vehicles for breakdown cranes, resulting in them eventually sporting many different liveries
A few Diagram 1/801 vans still survive and can be found at the Swanage, Great Central, and Bluebell Railways.
The vans are currently in the Engineering Prototype stage but can be ordered now at a price of £34.95. Further information can be found by clicking here to visit their website.
The release of these Fish Vans follows recent releases of seven-plank wagons and lowmac wagons.
There will be 16 different versions available as follows.
Blue Spot Fish V
- SKU 957001 – No.E87929
- SKU 957002 – E87836
- SKU 957003 – E87506
‘Ice Blue' Fish Van
- SKU 957004 – E87985
- SKU 957005 – E87736
- SKU 957006 – E87919
Parcels (SPV) Van
- SKU 957007 – E87934
- SKU 957008 – M88040
Parcels (NRV) Van
- SKU 957009 – E87695
- SKU 957010 – M87815
Barrier Van
- SKU 957011 – M87990
- SKU 957012 – W87573
Departmental Van
- SKU 957013 – ADB975377
- SKU 957014 – ADB975378
- SKU 957015 – 87905
- SKU 957016 – ADM87671
