This is an example of a British Railways design of 13 ton capacity "medium goods wagon" (compare with
older design 474558 and M480222 and similar
B461224). Built at the former SR workshops at Ashford (Kent), B458525 was
one of 1000 built in 1951 to BR diagram 1/019 and lot No.2235. A total of 4000 were built at Ashford
to this diagram. This steel-bodied wagon was fitted with vacuum brake, "clasp" brake rigging and
auxilliary suspension from new. Steel was used for the bodywork as it was more durable than timber
planks.
By 1970, this and many similar vehicles were transferred into departmental use with the Civil
Engineer of the Southern Region (gaining a "D" prefix to their numbers) for carrying spoil and spent
ballast from engineering work sites to tips like those at Hoo Junction or Godstone. The wagon was
withdrawn from use and purchased in 1973.