📢 Please take a minute to read this personal message from the creator of RailwayModels.uk

Dapol 4F-013-131

Gunpowder Van NE 71420 Weathered

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

Prototype Era
Era 3 (1923 to 1947) The Big Four (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR)

Manufacturer description

Gunpowder vans were specially constructed vans designed for the safer conveyance of gunpowder and other explosives. In the 1920s the RCH laid down rules governing the construction and running of these vans and these rules were enforced relatively unchanged until the 1980s when gunpowder vans ceased to be used. The rules governed issues such as the number of gunpowder vans allowed on one train (5 in peacetime, but whole trains were known during World War II), what other van could run alongside gunpowder vans (no vans with oil or combustible materials) and where special instructions had to be placed (a metal plate mounted on the door) were all prescribed. As another safety feature, these vans were often painted in distinguishing colours with large crosses painted on the sides to notify rail staff of the possible dangers.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

Dapol Gunpowder Van NE 71420 Weathered is a OO gauge model representing a British railway gunpowder van from the 1930s. It carries the LNER grey livery and measures 82 mm in length, 33 mm in width and 44 mm in height. The model has a weathered finish, a four‑wheel arrangement and is supplied with the manufacturer part number 4F‑013‑131. It is intended to depict the period of the Big Four railway companies – LNER, LMS, GWR and SR – and it is credited to the Railway Clearing House in collaboration with GWR, LNER, LMS, the Royal Ordnance Factory and British Railways.

Gunpowder vans were specially built to transport gunpowder and other explosives safely. In the 1920s the Railway Clearing House introduced rules governing their construction and operation, which remained largely unchanged until the 1980s when such vans were withdrawn from service. The regulations specified limits on the number of vans per train (five in peacetime, with whole trains used during World War II), prohibited the coupling of vans carrying oil or combustible materials, and required special instructions to be displayed on a metal plate on the door. As an additional safety measure, the vans were often painted in distinctive colours with large crosses on the sides to alert railway staff to the potential hazards.