Wagons of the Early British Rail Era

A Pictorial Study of the 1969 to 1982 Period

by David Larkin

David Larkin continues his comprehensive survey of freight wagons by turning to the British Rail era. Although British Rail technically came into being a few years earlier, 1969 has been chosen as the starting point for this volume as it was the first full year of non-steam operation. 1969 was also the year that large numbers of mineral and hopper coal-carrying wagons began to be totally rebodied, rather than just being patched up.

At the same time, orders were placed for the first air-braked general purpose open and van designs, and a major step forward was the introduction of the TOPS computerised wagon record system in 1972. This greatly simplified wagon codes to three-letters, and enabled each wagon to be tracked.

Vacuum-braked wagons were only built in small numbers and involved conversions, but further air-braked designs appeared, including open wagons, vans, plate wagons, and domestic coal hoppers. The air-braked fleet was separated from other wagons, firstly by code (ABN), and then by name – Railfreight. Compatible privately-owned wagons operated with BR-owned stock on set routes, echoing the old Condor and Speedlink services and on a par with Freightliner services.

Profusely illustrated, like the earlier books in the series, this book includes lot and diagram details, wagon number ranges, builders and livery details.

Softback: 96 pages with 175 photographs
273 x 215mm
978-1-905505-10-4
£14.00