Accurascale has released a new model of the Clayhood wagon, a type of wagon used by British Rail to transport China clay and other products in the south west of England. The model is available in a triple pack with different liveries, including a freight bauxite livery that represents the wagon's appearance in the pre-TOPS era.
The Accurascale model features a highly detailed interior and a diecast underframe and axles running in brass bearings for smooth running. The wagon's sheets or hoods are removable, showing a fully detailed interior and tarpaulin bar with correctly oriented longitudinal floor planks. The model also features etched metal, plastic and wire detail parts, including handrails, grab handles, door handles, lamp brackets, brake hoses, though pipes, and brake gear.
The model is constructed from plastic and die-cast metal and weighs 42g per wagon. It has RP25.110 chemically blackened OO gauge wheel sets and blackened brass bearings conforming to Accurascale's standard of 14.4mm back-to-back on 2mm axles over 26mm pinpoints. The model also features turned sprung metal buffers, two buffer types - standard heavy duty and OLEO, NEM standard coupler pockets, narrow tension lock couplers, and individual lettering and codes from real wagons for authenticity.
The Clayhood wagons were built by BR between 1954 and 1960, with a total of 875 wagons produced. They were designed to transport China clay and other products, such as ball clay, from Cornwall and South Devon to yards on the main line and to docks for transhipment to boats. The wagons featured a 9ft wheelbase and were dimensionally similar to the GWR O.13 clay wagons they replaced.
Over time, the wagons underwent several modifications, including the addition of vacuum brake equipment, changes to the buffers and axle boxes, and the introduction of the familiar "pent" hood design. The wagons were eventually replaced by air-braked CDA wagons in 1988, but several have survived into preservation and are now on display in various museums and on heritage railways.
