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

Back to product list

Dapol 4F-013-135

Gunpowder Van GWR W105770 - 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

PROTOTYPE

"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.

MODEL

These wagons are highly detailed and will be a great addition to your rolling stock.

FEATURES

• Profiled wheels
• Accurately applied livery
• Highly detailed body moulding
• NEM pockets with self-centring couplings

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

Dapol Gunpowder Van GWR (model reference W105770) is a weathered‑finish replica of a four‑wheel goods wagon originally built in the 1930s by the Railway Clearing House for the Great Western Railway. The van carries the GWR grey livery and bears the manufacturer part number 4F‑013‑135. It represents the period of the British railway “Big Four” (GWR, LNER, LMS and SR) and is offered as a prototype model.

Gunpowder vans were specially constructed to transport gunpowder and other explosives safely. From the 1920s the Railway Clearing House laid down detailed rules governing their construction, loading limits and the type of other wagons they could travel with; for example, only five such vans were permitted on a train in peacetime, and they could not be coupled to wagons carrying oil or other combustible material. Safety measures included metal plates on the doors, distinctive colour schemes and large crosses painted on the sides to alert railway staff.

The model features profiled wheels, an accurately applied GWR grey livery and highly detailed body moulding. It is equipped with NEM pockets and self‑centring couplings, allowing it to integrate easily with other 00‑scale rolling stock. The level of detail makes it a suitable addition for collectors and railway modelers seeking a faithful representation of this historic type of wagon.