Rapido Trains UK 813913 Diagram V32 TEVAN - No.W105821 BR(W) White

Diagram V32 TEVAN - No.W105821 BR(W) White

• Roof hatches
• End handrails
• 4 end steps
• Disc wheels running in metal bearings
• NEM 362 Coupler Pockets
• 1:76 scale, (OO gauge)
• UK-designed

1930, the GWR introduced the Diagram X9 MICA. This covered van broke the usual GWR van standard of a 9ft wheelbase and 16ft body. Instead, they opted to use the 17ft 6in underframe, 10ft wheelbase and fittings that were RCH compliant.  

Designed for the dedicated transport of meat, the X9 MICA was a combination of different design ideas blended together. 

The X9 was designated MICA A, as it had no vents. However, the X9’s body was based on a stretched version of the X10 MICA design. So, much like its shorter counterpart, it had small feeder ice tanks hanging from either end of its roof, and a type of cork lining to keep its load fresh.

With Solid Carbon Dioxide becoming commercially available, the readily available ‘Dry Ice’ made the perfect coolant. It was loaded to each of the wagons via the tank hatches that were on each end of the roof, and accessible via the steps that were at both ends.

Despite the X9 MICA A vans running in dedicated trains from Birkenhead to London called ‘The Meat’ almost every day for many years, their success was fleeting. By 1938, much of the raw meat that was being transported by the GWR was being moved in more modern wagons, or the business had been taken away by road haulage companies.  

This resulted in many of the X9s being converted, and their sole purpose amended. Any MICA A that retained their original purpose, lost their MICA code during WW2, and were given the new code INSUL-MEAT, which was painted boldly on their sides.

Upon conversion, X9 vans that underwent the change were given a new diagram, V32, and were designated as TEVANs. The TEVANs continued the vans' legacy of transporting perishables; however, this was now of an entirely different flavour. 

Filled with Cocoa and tea, the TEVANs would complete round-trips between Bristol and Paddington, and Greenford and Bristol. The London-bound nighttime train from Bristol went by the name of ‘The Cocoa’ and would go via Fry’s and Co chocolate and cocoa factory in Somerdale. 

Upon arrival in London, the wagons loaded with Fry’s sweet treats were taken to their West London depot and swiftly unloaded. From here, they were taken to Greenford, where they were filled at the Lyons Tea warehouses. The TEVANS then moved to Acton and were attached to the early morning Bristol-bound train named ‘ The High Flyer’. 
Both the X9 MICA A and TEVANs were painted in white, and remained this way right through to Nationalisation. Examples of both diagrams were inherited and used by BR. Sadly, none made it to preservation.