Dapol 4F-031-010

6 Wheel Milk Tank Express Dairy Weathered

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

Prototype Eras
Era 3 (1923 to 1947) The Big Four (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR)
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest

Manufacturer description

In the nineteenth century, milk was supplied to urban areas mainly by cows kept in urban herds even in the largest metropolitan areas such as London. These cows were kept in cramped, unsanitary conditions and in 1865 a cow plague swept London resulting in the extermination of all urban herds. Express Dairies grew from this moment on and was instrumental in bringing in milk from the country into the towns and cities.

The founder and chairman of Express Dairies, George Barham invented the milk churn which was the principal way of transporting milk until the 1930s at which time the growing demand and the advancement of sheet metal rolling techniques lead to the development of cylindrical bulk handling milk tanks. The first milk tanks had four wheels, but were found to be unstable at speed. However, a six wheel derivative was found to be very suitable and most of the earlier milk tankers were eventually converted.

Catalogue listing

Brand
Dapol
Product Code
4F-031-010
GTIN
5016927004637
RRP
£18.99
Release date
April 2023

Model details

Gauge
OO
Finish
Weathered
Height
48mm
Livery
Express Dairies
Minimum radius curve
Radius 1
Coupling
NEM / Tension lock
Chassis construction
Lightweight
Coupling mount
NEM pockets
Coupling type
Tension lock
Minimum radius
Radius 1
Scale
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)
Width
33mm
Tooling date
2005

Prototype information

Builder
Various
(Tanks owned by dairies & chassis by railway companies)
Build dates
1932 to 1948
In service until
1960s/ 1970s
Main duties
Milk Transport
Operated by
Great Western Railway
London Midland & Scottish Railway
London & North Eastern Railway
Southern Railway
British Railways
Type of vehicle
Tank Wagon
Wheel configuration
6-wheel
Wheel arrangement
6-wheel
Built
1932 to 1948
Built by
Various (Tanks owned by dairies & chassis by railway companies)

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The Dapol Express Dairy 6 Wheel Milk Tanker is a weathered model of a milk tanker wagon representing the Express Dairies company. The model is designed to fit OO gauge railways and features a highly detailed body moulding, accurately applied livery, and separately added ladders and rails.

The model is based on the six wheel derivative of the milk tank wagons that were developed in the 1930s, which were found to be a more stable option than the earlier four wheel versions. The six wheel design became the standard for milk tankers and was used by various dairy companies and railway companies.

The model measures 94mm in length over the buffers, 33mm in width, and 48mm in height. It has a minimum radius curve requirement of Radius 1 and features NEM/Tension lock couplings. The livery is that of Express Dairies, a company that played a significant role in the development of milk transportation in the UK.

The company's history dates back to the late 19th century, when urban milk supplies were often provided by cows kept in unsanitary conditions in urban areas. The 1865 cow plague led to the decline of urban herds, and Express Dairies grew from this moment on, bringing in milk from rural areas to supply the towns and cities. The company invented the milk churn, but later developed the cylindrical bulk handling milk tanks that were used until the 1930s.

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Weathered Whimsy