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Rails RL-1424-013

SE&CR 16' Covered Goods Wagon with Experimental Doors, Wainwright SE&CR Light Grey No.9944

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

Prototype Era
Era 2 (1875 to 1923) Pre-grouping

Manufacturer description

Exclusive to Rails

In 1904 the South Eastern & Chatham Railway introduced covered wagons to an increased length of 16 feet, though in appearance they resembled earlier South Eastern Railway designs. 110 wagons to this design were built up to 1908. Most were fitted with Hill's brake gear, which differed from the RCH or "freighter brakes" fitted to the wagons much later in their lives. The Hill's gear, featured in our new model, is of distinctive and asymmetrical appearance, Brakes were fitted to one side of the wagon only, with levers to apply them from either side.

Later batches were fitted with Mansell coach-type wheels, which we feature in this model. Also featured are roof vents. The prototypes were fitted with both Laycock, or torpedo, vents, and with "Eros" vents. The latter are quite distinctive in style, and we have chosen to represent this type.

Just two of the wagons were fitted, in 1909, with experimental pressed steel doors. These doors were the product of The Leeds Forge Company, and had been supplied for wagons built for export. The General Manager of the Leeds firm, Francis L. Lane, persuaded Wainwright to try them. It is not known how long these doors remained fitted, so this variant is offered only in early SE&CR livery.

The new models will be released in three liveries: SE&CR light grey, as built; the darker late SE&CR grey livery, introduced circa 1917, and SR brown livery, as applied between 1923 and 1936.

Manufactured using new cutting-edge technologies featuring:

• A new, ultra high resolution, super strong aeronautical grade PU with a design life exceeding 25 years.
• A build process using the very latest light technology and is infinitely flexible for making all variants.
• Low volume production potential for niche, products previously not capable of being produced economically for RTR.

Rails aim to fill the need for niche products, which simply would not justify a large production run. As they are produced in limited quantities.

A tremendous amount of research and development has been put into this project to ensure accuracy and true replication has been achieved. The vans will be fitted with Alan Gibson finescale wheels for further accuracy.

Catalogue listing

Rails SE&CR 16' Covered Goods Wagon with Experimental Doors, Wainwright SE&CR Light Grey No.9944 is a limited‑edition model released by Rails of Sheffield. The piece carries the manufacturer part number RL‑1424‑013 and represents the pre‑grouping period of the South Eastern & Chatham Railway.

The original wagons were introduced in 1904 with a length of 16 feet and were visually similar to earlier South Eastern Railway designs. A total of 110 units were built up to 1908. The model reproduces the distinctive asymmetrical Hill’s brake gear, fitted to the inside of one side of the wagon with levers accessible from either side. Later batches equipped with Mansell coach‑type wheels are also depicted, together with roof vents of the “Eros” style.

Only two of the historic wagons received experimental pressed‑steel doors in 1909, supplied by The Leeds Forge Company at the request of its managing director Francis L. Lane. The model shows this variant in the early SE&CR light grey livery, while the range is also offered in the darker late SE&CR grey (circa 1917) and the SR brown livery used between 1923 and 1936.

The wagons are manufactured using ultra‑high‑resolution aeronautical grade polyurethane, claimed to have a design life exceeding 25 years. Production employs a light‑weight, flexible building process suitable for low‑volume, niche items that would not be viable in large runs.

Extensive research and development has been undertaken to ensure accurate replication. Each model is fitted with Alan Gibson finescale wheels to enhance realism. The limited production run is intended to meet the demand for specialised railway subjects.