Rapido Trains 940003 8 plank open wagon diagram D1379 in SR brown (pre-1936) – 31458 (OO Gauge)

Rapido Trains UK unveils new model of SR’s most numerous wagon.

Choosing an eight plank design set the Southern apart from most other railway companies but this distinctive design was actually the SR’s most numerous wagon. There were several versions, all sharing the same body and they could be found throughout the Southern’s network.

Rapido is to produce two different diagrams. Leading the way is the Diagram 1379, which was the first eight-plank design to be introduced and 7,950 were built between 1926 and 1933.

They featured a standard RCH underframe with 9ft wheelbase and, originally, all were un-fitted. The first 3,000 were built with Morton brakes but this was subsequently changed to what the SR called ‘Freighter’ brakes on later batches.

The SR increased the wheelbase to 10ft in 1935. The first of these 10ft wagons were fitted with vacuum brakes. However, two batches of unfitted 10ft wagons were built during 1936 and 1937. These 1,400 vehicles were, fittingly, given the diagram number 1400. They were fitted with Freighter brakes.

Our Southern Railway eight-plank boasts an impressive spec:

• Two types of brakes
• Split-spoked and disc wheels running in metal bearings
• NEM coupling pockets
• UK designed
• Fine detailed plastic bodies/chassis with metal parts