Dapol A017

Banana Van Unpainted

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

Prototype Era
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest

Manufacturer description

To meet the rapid rise in demand for bananas shipped in from the Caribbean, specially constructed steam heated banana vans were manufactured with plywood cladding and insulated bodies that allowed bananas to be shipped in green and ripened enroute.

The Dapol model is of a later variant built typically in the 1950’s, that was steam piped allowing the easier running of interconnected block trains. This type of banana van was often characterised by a large yellow spot on each side and had a 12t capacity.

Catalogue listing

Brand
Dapol
Product Code
A017
GTIN
5016927264307
RRP
£8.85
Release date
Q2 2023

Model details

Livery
Unpainted
Height
44mm
Width
33mm
Finish
Pristine
Minimum radius curve
Radius 1
Minimum radius
Radius 1
Scale
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)
Chassis construction
Diecast
Coupling mount
Fixed
Coupling type
Peco style
Tooling date
1995

Prototype information

In service until
1970s
Type of vehicle
Insulated box van
Builder
BR Wolverton Works
Build dates
1959 to 1960
Wheel configuration
4-wheel
Operated by
British Railways
Main duties
Banana Transport
Barrier Vehicles
Operator
British Railways
Wheel arrangement
4-wheel
Built
1959 to 1960
Built by
BR Wolverton Works

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The Dapol Unpainted Banana Van is a model of a British Railways vehicle from the early days of the organisation. The model represents a later variant of the steam heated banana van, built around 1959-60 at BR Wolverton Works. These vans were designed to transport bananas from the Caribbean, with insulated bodies that allowed the fruit to ripen during transit.

The model features a highly detailed body and profiled wheels, with NEM pockets for self-centring couplings. The measurements of the model are 82mm in length, 33mm in width and 44mm in height, with a minimum radius curve of Radius 1. The model is unpainted, allowing the modeller to choose their own finish.

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