This wagon is one of 12,200 12 Ton Open Merchandise wagons built to LMSR diagram D1892 between 1934 and 1939. There
were detail variations between lots; four different drawings being issued. Many of the vehicles to this diagram were
built in the workshops of independent contractors, rather than those of the LMSR. Diagram D1892 included both wagons
built with automatic vacuum brake and those with handbrake only.
411245 was one of a batch numbered 410525 - 411249, which were built under lot No. 1031 by the LMS at Wolverton Works
in 1937/'38 with handbrake only.
We know the running number of this particular wagon as it was fitted with a replacement numberplate which survived its
service with the Port of Bristol Authority. It would have been first turned out in LMSR bauxite livery, which was
applied to both unfitted and fitted vehicles from May 1936.
Richard Salmon, February 2001
During WW2, the capacity of 12 Ton open wagons was increased to 13 Tons. In the 1950's, many handbrake-only vehicles
were fitted with vacuum braking by BR. M411245 was so fitted and had its spindle buffers removed and replaced by those
of a BR heavy-duty self-contained design. At the same time it would probably have been rebranded as a "Hyfit"
(High open merchandise wagon fitted with vacuum braking). The wagon continued in main line service until it was sold
to the Port of Bristol Authority in 1966.
The vacuum brake cylinder and pipework were removed and it was renumbered PBA 66015. Its new tare (empty) weight
without vacuum brake was 6 Tons 16 cwt. Although built with a five plank body, six smaller planks were used to repair
the wagon at Bristol. During its BR or PBA service it also acquired a set of LNER open-fronted axleboxes. The wagon
was purchased from Bristol by the late George Nickson and arrived on the Bluebell Railway in 1981.
Vacuum braking was restored and the wagon was first repainted in BR departmental black livery to run as an equipment
wagon with the 45 Ton steam crane. It was fitted with a fixed tarpaulin bar for this duty. Following the withdrawal
from service of the steam crane, the wagon has been repainted in LMS bauxite livery.
Recommended reading:
"An Illustrated History of LMS Wagons - Volume 1", by R.J.Essery (OPC 1981). ISBN 86093 127 7.
"An Illustrated History of LMS Wagons - Volume 2", by R.J.Essery (OPC 1983). ISBN 86093 255 9.