Graham Farish 373-261C 8T Cattle Wagon GWR Dark Grey No. 106885

Livestock has long been transported by rail and for this purpose specialised vehicles were built, like the 8T Cattle Wagon that is reproduced in miniature by Graham Farish. The real vehicles employed a metal chassis with a wheelbase of 11 feet – 1 foot longer than most general merchandise vans in use at the time – on top of which a body constructed from wooden planks mounted to an external frame of angled metalwork was fitted. To provide light and ventilation, the sides did not extend to full roof height resulting in wide openings which were secured with a fixed metal bar. A central opening on each side was shut off using 3-part doors comprising two stable-style doors at the top and a single bottom door that lowered to act as a ramp, allowing the livestock to be loaded and unloaded from the wagon. Various designs were in use prior to Nationalisation and British Railways continued to build new wagons during the 1950s, amassing a sizeable fleet before the transportation of livestock by rail ceased in 1972. 

The Graham Farish model is a fitting replica of the prototype, using a precision moulded body that accurately captures the sturdy metal underframe and the planked body with its external bracing. The side door areas are particularly refined, with door hinges and locking mechanisms expertly moulded while the bars that enclosed the top sections of each side are reproduced from metal wire. The roof includes the characteristic rain strips that run the length of the wagon and the rivets securing the roof are neatly moulded at either end. The chassis is adorned with separate door bangs plus vacuum pipes and lamp brackets at either end, whilst beneath the solebars the brake gear, brake handles and vacuum cylinders are added individually. Metal wheels and axles are employed, along with turned metal buffers, and the couplings are mounted via NEM coupling pockets allowing full interchangeability for those wishing to use an alternative coupling system. 

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