The model will build a 7mm to the foot scale model of an RCH specification 1923 7 Plank Wagon

Summary History

Largely as a result of the 1885 Barnsley Junction accident at Pennistone station, caused by a broken wagon axle the Railway Clearing House, (RCH), started to implement a set of standards as of 1887. The main focus of the standards related to coupling and running gear. These standards were subsequently revised over the years. In what was to be the last major revision a new set of standards were published by the RCH in 1923.

The following dimensions were described in a contemporary railway technical publication;

Specification for 10-ton Wagon

An example of part of the RCH 1923 wagon specifications is quoted below⁽¹⁾:

“The following is the standard specification for private owners' 10-ton wagons:

Dimensions.

• No wagon to exceed 8 ft. 6 in. wide over all, nor to exceed in height 10 ft. at the sides and 11 ft. 6 in. in the middle above the top of the rails. (No wagon for tipping coal at Roath Dock, Cardiff, must be of a greater width than 8 ft. 3 in., and for other Bristol Channel ports not to exceed 8 ft. 4^1/2 in.)
• The length of coal wagons not to exceed 16 ft. 6 in. over headstocks. Coke wagons may be made 17 ft. 6 in. over headstocks.
• The wheel base neither to be less than 8 ft. nor to exceed 9 ft.
• The load not to exceed 8, 10, or 12 tons respectively, and the building of 8-ton wagons to be limited as much as possible.”

The prototype which was followed is the RCH design built in large numbers by Ince Wagon works and Chas Roberts ltd. to this 1923 specification. Wagons were ordered by collieries, agents and others and were supplied to the GWR and GCR also.

The two latter prefixed their numbering with a 0xxxx to signify that the vehicle was hired into the fleet.

The RCH 1923 7 plank design was employed by the LMS and LNER as their standard mineral wagon, building many thousands. The SR ordered some for their requirements in the Kent coal field. The LMS and LNER used the specification to build in their own workshops. In general terms, South Wales and most other coal exporting ports utilised end door wagons, whereas East coast companies relied upon wagons with bottom doors, to enable discharge into staithes or storage bins.

Livery notes

A myriad of private owner liveries applied to these wagons. As always, check you prototype with a photograph and ensure the PO livery applies to the 1923 version. The Railway companies applied their own liveries and in BR days many examples were noted partially or completely unpainted. The timber bodies of these wagons particularly lend themselves to wagons in this condition.

References

• RAILWAY MECHANICAL ENGINEERING. (1923). Railway Mechanical Engineering ... By engineering experts (p. 220). 2 vol. Gresham Pub. Co.: London.