BR 12 Ton PALVAN B761349

This is a representative of BR's first efforts to respond to changing methods of handling (see also B772972). Built at BR's Faverdale Works, Darlington to diagram 1/211 this van is one of 36 built under Lot 2538 in 1954. With a steel floor and offset side doors this van was designed to carry palletised loads and to be loaded by fork lift truck from both sides. Unfortunately, this often led to vans running with loads at one end only, resulting in rough riding and subsequently, derailment.

B761349 in Turners' Sidings at Sheffield Park, July 2006, Martin Skrzetuszewski

After a short life in traffic, many were put into Internal Use and a large number, including this one, were sold to the Port of London Authority for use within the old London docks network. When the PLA began disposal, Bluebell purchased three in 1971 for storage. B761349 has been used by the Bluebell's Loco Department. However, the ply construction is prone to rot and one of the three was scrapped some years ago. We are hoping this vehicle or its twin can be saved as an example of this unsuccessful BR attempt at modernisation.