Dapol Lionheart Trains O 324 Baldwin, Bristol & Birmingham 8 Plank Open Wagon with Coke Rails
A detailed ready to run O gauge wagon model from Lionheart Trains finished in the black and white livery of well-known coal factors Baldwins.
Lionheart wagons are based on standard wagons built by the Gloucester RCW to the later RCH specifications with outside bracing. This model is an 8 plank wagon with side and end doors and fitted with height extension rails to allow a full 12 tons of coke to be loaded.
Baldwins operated a very large fleet of wagons, supplying both their own contracts and acting as factors to supply other merchants with wagonloads. As a major customer the company was connected with a number of collieries and distributed coal nationwide.
Baldwins were one of the major coal factors and suppliers to large consumers in the Bristol to Birmingham region. The company obtained a wide range of coals from the South Wales, Forest of Dean, Midlands, Bristol and Somerset coal fields and probably from farther afield as well.
Coal factors purchased coal from the colliery companies in significant quanities per month, obtaining better rates for accepting regular tonnages even at periods of low demand, like summer when domestic heating wasn't needed. By stocking a range of coals the factor could supply single wagonloads to local merchants as required, allowing a local merchant to offer a wider choice to his consumers, and ensure regular supplies were available for commercial users like factories, power stations and gas works.
Baldwins wagons were often seen on the WC&PR, delivering to local merchants, in the wayside station sidings for unloading by farmers and supplementing the Clevedon Gas Companys' own wagons to feed the gas works.