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Oxford Diecast 76TK008

Watneys Bedford TK Barrel Truck - 1:76 Scale

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

Prototype Eras
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

The history of this famous English brewer goes back to the 19th Century - to1837 - when James Watney became a partner in the Stag Brewery of Pimlico. As with many companies, it evolved over the years, taking on Combe Delafield and Co, and Reid and Co. in 1898. The respective sons took over from fathers down the years with the final merger in 1958 when Watney, Combe, Reid & Co Ltd joined with Mann, Crossman & Paulin Ltd. Hence the name we are all so familiar with - Watney Mann. This business merged with Grand Metropolitan Hotels in 1972 and closed in 1979. The TK replaced the S type Bedford truck in 1959 and was used extensively as the ideal light truck of the era, right into the 1970s. It was very versatile and came in a variety of formats, including the open backed version, which we present complete with kegs of Watney's.

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast Watneys Bedford TK Barrel Truck – 1:76 Scale is a model railway vehicle reproduced in die‑cast metal. The model carries the manufacturer part number 76TK008 and represents the vehicle in British Rail blue livery as used before the introduction of TOPS. It is presented with an open‑backbed configuration and includes miniature Watney’s beer kegs.

The Watney brewing business originated in 1837 when James Watney became a partner in the Stag Brewery, Pimlico. Over the following decades the firm merged with Combe Delafield and Co and Reid and Co in 1898, later becoming Watney, Combe, Reid & Co Ltd. In 1958 the company joined with Mann, Crossman & Paulin Ltd to form Watney Mann, which merged with Grand Metropolitan Hotels in 1972 and ceased operations in 1979.

The Bedford TK truck replaced the earlier S‑type model in 1959 and remained in widespread use throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s. Its versatility allowed it to be supplied in several body styles; the version reproduced here reflects the open‑back version that was commonly employed for transporting beer barrels.