Rapido Trains UK announce LSWR / WD 20t Brake Vans in 00 Gauge

Rapido trains UK have announced the LSWR / War Departement 20t Brake Vans. later SR Diagrams 1545 and Diagram 1549 in 00 Gauge. Thirty five new 20 ton brake vans to a design by Surrey Warner were introduced by the London & South Western Railway (LSWR) in 1907, they had an 18ft body on a 10ft 6in wheelbase underframe, were fitted with a veranda at either end and duckets on either side. They also had a separate goods compartment from the guards’ area, making them ideal for parcels and light goods duties. They were later issued SR Diagram 1545. During the First World War the War Department (WD) adopted the LSWR 20t Brake Van design as standard, only amending it so that it was 2in narrower. These were constructed by numerous contractors throughout 1917 and 1918, and most of them were sent over to mainland Europe. After the war, at least 250 of the WD built 20t Brake Vans were returned to the UK and were allocated to number of pre-grouping railway companies to replace other vans lost…