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Hornby R60286

BR - Ex LMS - 732350 - 20T Brake Van

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

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

Manufacturer description

Does your freight train have a brake van at the end? For the most realistic interpretation of your post-1968 layout, you need to add this 20T Brake Van model to your trains, turning them into law-abiding vehicles for your freight operations. This highly detailed van has NEM couplings for easy attachment and sprung metal buffers.

History

Until 1968, fully fitted freight trains were required by law to carry a brake van at the end. The brake van provided brake functionality to help slow the train and acted as a space where the train guard could carry out additional duties such as paperwork. As a result, most brake vans featured a stove and desk on top of the brake apparatus. 

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) built 2,653 20-ton brake vans between 1933 and 1947. These featured a wooden structure that spanned most of the frame, with open covered areas at either end to provide the guard with an excellent view of the train. Post nationalisation, many of these wagons became BR Brake Vans.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

The Hornby BR - Ex LMS 20T Brake Van, catalogue number 732350, is a OO gauge model from the 2025 Range. It is painted in British Railways livery and features a brown finish. The model has a minimum radius curve of 1st Radius (371mm) and is equipped with sprung metal buffers and an NEM tension lock coupling. It measures 110mm in length and features a running number of 732350.

The real-life brake vans, of which this model is based, were introduced by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) between 1933 and 1947. A total of 2653 20-ton brake vans were built during this period. They featured a wooden structure with open covered areas at either end, allowing the guard to monitor the train. Post nationalisation, many of these wagons were converted to British Railways (BR) brake vans.

The requirement for a brake van at the end of fully fitted freight trains was a legal requirement until 1968. The brake van provided additional braking functionality and a space for the train guard to carry out administrative tasks, including paperwork. Many of the LMS brake vans featured a stove and desk on top of the brake apparatus.