Cavalex Models 493277-NRM

The First and the Last Merry Go Round Set

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

The first prototype Merry Go Round Wagon (HAA) No. 350000 was built in Darlington in 1964. It was preserved to become part of the National Collection in October 1995.

In total 10,702 production wagons were built at Shildon Works before its closure in 1984 whilst the remaining 160 wagons were built at Ashford Works in the Southern Region.

The Friends of the National Railway Museum North East Branch, who are based at Locomotion in Shildon, purchased the last Merry Go Round Wagon (HDA) No. 368459 in late November 2010. Find out more about The Friends of the National Railway Museum North East Branch.

Under the TOPS (Total Operations Processing System) coding system introduced in the 1970s these wagons were classified as HAA wagons and initially carried B numbers when working between colliery and power station. The wagons are a reminder of this era when coal was delivered in "Merry go Round" fashion from collieries to power stations. They enabled automatic loading and unloading on a continuous cycle as collieries and power stations were usually fitted with dumbbell loops to aid the process undertaken at crawling speed. These 32ton wagons could run at 45 mph loaded and 55 mph empty. HDA No.368459 wagon covered just under 1,000,000 miles during its working life, it is a fitting tribute to the craftsmanship of the workforce at the works.

Catalogue listing

Cavalex Models – The First and the Last Merry Go Round Set is a limited‑edition model released by Locomotion Models. The set bears the manufacturer part number 493277‑NRM and represents British Rail wagons painted in the British Rail blue TOPS livery.

The original prototype Merry Go Round wagon (HAA) No 350000 was constructed in Darlington in 1964; it entered the National Collection in October 1995. A total of 10 702 production wagons were built at Shildon Works before that facility closed in 1984, with a further 160 wagons produced at Ashford Works in the Southern Region.

The Friends of the National Railway Museum North East Branch, based at Locomotion in Shildon, acquired the final Merry Go Round wagon (HDA) No 368459 in late November 2010. This purchase completed the preservation of the class.

Under the TOPS (Total Operations Processing System) introduced in the 1970s, the wagons were classified as HAA and initially carried B numbers while shunting between collieries and power stations. The 32‑ton wagons could travel at 45 mph when loaded and 55 mph when empty, and they facilitated automatic loading and unloading on continuous “merry‑go‑round” loops. HDA No 368459 logged just under one million miles during its working life, illustrating the durability of the original design.