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Oxford OR76BAN002B

GE Banana Van - BR E632896 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 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest

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 GE Banana Van represents a Great Eastern Railway goods van, specifically the GER Diagram 85 design. This design was constructed in 1923 by the London and North Eastern Railway for the transportation of imported bananas.

The vans were equipped with vacuum brakes and steam heating to maintain a stable temperature of 13°C, and featured thick insulation to keep the fruit fresh during transit. They were used to transport bananas from the docks to distribution centres such as Stratford Market in East London.

Only 100 of these banana vans were built, numbered 632822 to 632921. Some were later loaned to the Southern Railway in the 1930s and carried Southern Railway branding. Despite their specialist role, the vans remained in service until the late 1950s.