Bachmann Branchline OO 37-712 BR 8-Ton Cattle Wagon Bauxite Late
A finely detailed model of the British Railways standard design of cattle wagon. The design of these wagons was based closely on the well proven GWR cattle wagon design, adapted with BR standard style of roof profile, underframe and brake fittings.
British Railways had a substantial share of the cattle traffic in 1948, rail being the only option for the mass movement of animals. Through the 1950s and 60s the steady growth of capacity of road lorries and the additional flexibility of loading at farms saw the traffic steadily move to road haulage. Many cattle wagons were redeployed for other traffic, including ale in barrels and for fruit and vegetable traffic, where the long-wheelbase vacuum brake fitted wagons enabled these perishables trains to run at higher speeds than regular goods trains.