Oxford Rail OO OR76WW001 Warwell A 50-Ton Wagon Ministry of War Transport Well Wagon MS1

Oxford Diecast OR76WW001 OO Gauge Ministry of War Warwell 50-Ton Well Wagon

A detailed model of the depressed centre Warwell wagons built during WW2 to carry tanks and other military vehicles between the factories and west coast importing ports to the embarkation ports along the south coast for shipment to France. The depressed centre well was needed to keep the vehicles inside the restricted British loading gauge, but the wagons were built with sloping end ramps and bridge plates so vehicles could be driven along the length of a train for rapid loading and unloading.
Following the invasion many of these wagons were transferred to France to keep the advancing front line supplied with replacement armoured vehicles, which would often have a low maximum road speed.

This model is finished as a wagon on loan from the War Department to the Great Western during and following the build-up to Operation Overload.

£32.99

MRP £32.99

Must be ordered - delivery as soon as possible.

(Product Ref 101191)

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Many were returned to the UK after 1945, being used by the military and British Railways, proving ideal for carrying vehicles and loads which were too tall to be loaded onto flat wagons. A number of MOD owned wagons were fitted with modern bogies and equipped with air train brakes in the 1970s and are still used for military loads including the smaller infantry support and scouting armoured vehicles up to the Warrior. A number of Warwells were used by the BR engineers, some fitted with cranes and a number have been purchased by heritage railways for engineering service.

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