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Dapol 4F-036-031

Bulk Grain Hopper LMS 701420

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

Up to the 1920s most British grain was transported in sacks and it was not until Britain started to import grain that the requirement for bulk grain movements was realised. The early bulk grain wagons were made of wood and were of an open design, with provision for a tarpaulin cover. Design improvements were soon made and at nationalisation BR had inherited a range of hoppers including some closed steel of an LMS design.

As demand for bulk grain movements increased, BR standardised its fleet based on this LMS steel hopper. The design was not without critics, who maintained the design caused undue condensation and spoilage caused by the cold steel. This style of hopper continued into service into the 1970s as, for a short time, Britain became a grain exporter. However, soon after bulk grain exports diminished and road overtook rail as the preferred mode of transport. Currently, very little grain is now bulk transported and we have now reverted to the pre-1920s way, i.e. by sack.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Dapol Bulk Grain Hopper LMS 701420 is a OO gauge model in LMS brown livery. The model measures 88 mm in length, 33 mm in width and 48 mm in height and carries the manufacturer part number 4F‑036‑031. It depicts the LMS steel bulk grain hopper that was standardised by British Rail and represents the period of the Big Four railway companies (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR).

Bulk grain wagons were introduced after Britain began importing grain, replacing earlier wooden, open‑design wagons that used tarpaulin covers. The LMS design, although criticised for causing condensation and spoilage due to its cold steel construction, became the standard BR hopper and remained in use into the 1970s, when rail freight of grain declined and road transport became dominant. Today bulk grain movement by rail is very limited, with most grain once again carried in sacks.