Oxford OR76BAN001B

GE Banana Van - LNER (pre 1937) 632879 1:76

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

Built in 1923 by the newly formed LNER, the GER Diagram 85 banana vans were built to transport imported bananas under carefully controlled conditions. Based on a Great Eastern Railway goods van, these vans featured vacuum brakes, steam heating, and thick insulation to keep the fruit at a stable 57°F from dockside to distribution centres like Stratford Market in East London.

Only 100 were constructed, numbered 632822–632921. Some were later loaned to the Southern Railway in the 1930s, even receiving SR branding. Despite their specialist role, they remained in traffic into the late 1950s.

Catalogue listing

The Oxford Rail 1:76 scale model represents an LNER (pre 1937) GER Diagram 85 banana van, numbered 632879. This model is part of the Period of the Big Four, which includes the LNER, LMS, GWR and SR.

The GER Diagram 85 banana vans were built in 1923 by the newly formed LNER. They were designed to transport imported bananas under controlled conditions, with features such as vacuum brakes, steam heating and thick insulation to maintain a stable temperature of 13°C from the docks to distribution centres like Stratford Market in East London.

Only 100 of these vans were constructed, numbered 632822–632921. Some were later loaned to the Southern Railway in the 1930s and even carried SR branding. The vans remained in service until the late 1950s.