Oxford OR76BAN003C

GE Banana Van - LNER (post 1937) 632898 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 model represents a LNER (London and North Eastern Railway) banana van, number 632898, in 1:76 scale. This model is part of the Oxford Rail product range.

The period represented by this model is the Big Four era, during which the LNER, LMS, GWR and SR railway companies operated. The model is of a specific type of van that was built by the LNER in 1923, based on a Great Eastern Railway goods van design.

The vans were designed to transport imported bananas from dockside to distribution centres, such as Stratford Market in East London. They featured vacuum brakes, steam heating and thick insulation to maintain a stable temperature of 57 degrees Fahrenheit. A total of 100 vans were constructed, numbered 632822–632921.

Some of these vans were later loaned to the Southern Railway in the 1930s and were branded accordingly. They remained in use until the late 1950s.