Dapol 4F-015-017

Fruit Mex Wagon GWR 38255

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

Due to changes in legislature, the transport of cattle and other livestock traditionally performed by rail was changed in a very short space of time to road. This resulted in large numbers of redundant cattle wagons. Many of these wagons were converted for alternative uses and one such was the Fruit Mex which was produced by adding slatted panels to the top section of the body of a standard GWR Mex B 8 ton cattle wagon.

In this form it was ideally suited to cope with the considerable amounts of fresh fruit traffic, particularly strawberries from the West Country and Vale of Evesham. These wagons carried the simple appellation ‘Fruit’ to identify them, and an identical build was also used to carry ale casks.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Dapol's Fruit Mex GWR 38255 model is a representation of a Fruit Mex wagon in Great Western Railway grey livery. The model measures 88mm in length, 33mm in width, and 48mm in height. It is intended to depict a wagon from the Big Four period, during which the GWR, LNER, LMS, and SR operated.

The Fruit Mex wagon was a converted version of the standard GWR Mex B 8 ton cattle wagon, with slatted panels added to the top section of the body. This adaptation enabled the wagon to transport large quantities of fresh fruit, particularly strawberries from the West Country and Vale of Evesham. The wagon was also used to carry ale casks.

The Dapol model features highly detailed printing and moulding, including profiled wheels and NEM pockets with self-centring couplings. The model is designed to be a valuable addition to any model railway set.