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Product Highlight: OO Scale GWR ‘Bloater’ Fish Vans
If you can smell something fishy, it might be because a set of newly tooled OO Scale wagons have recently been introduced into the EFE Rail range – the Great Western Railway’s 10T ‘Bloater’ Fish Vans. These vans are already available to purchase from our retailers, so now is the best time to take a look at them in more detail.
The EFE Rail models showcase all of the characteristics of the ‘Bloater’ vans, with the three doors and supports that made them longer than most general purpose vans modelled clearly on the body sides, along with separately fitted footboards and louvres along the sides and ends where applicable. The rooves feature rain strips, along with shell ventilators or gas light tops as appropriate. The underside of the wagon is similarly detailed, with brake gear and pipe runs along with gas cylinders or Westinghouse air brake equipment where suitable. There are metal spoked wheels, whilst the ends are equipped with sprung metal buffers and NEM coupling pockets mounted using close-coupling mechanisms.
These fish van models also all share the following features:
- Sprung Buffers
- Accessory Pack
- NEM Coupling Pockets
- Close Coupling Mechanisms
The ‘Bloaters’ were revealed in our recent Summer British Railway Announcements. Watch the YouTube video above.
The 10T ‘Bloater’ vans were built by the Great Western Railway in 1916 and were designed to transport fish. They were primarily used on trains between Cornwall and Pembrokeshire, and were designed so that they could be attached to passenger trains. Initially there were also variations with Westinghouse Air Brakes as well as the standard vacuum brakes available, which were known as ‘Bloater A’ vans until the air brakes were later removed. The ‘Bloater’ vans continued to be used after the amalgamation of the Great Western Railway into British Railways, after which time the need for fish vans was reduced so the wagons were repurposed for parcels and other departmental tasks.
E87057 – GWR 10T ‘Bloater’ Fish Van GWR Brown (GW)
Our first wagon is E87057, which depicts GWR 10T ‘Bloater’ Fish Van No. 2168 in the GWR’s Brown livery with yellow ‘GW’ lettering. This is a diagram S8 van that features louvres on the sides and ends, and vacuum brakes and gas lighting equipment under the body.
E87058 – GWR 10T ‘Bloater A’ Fish Van GWR Brown (GW)
The next model is E87058, which is GWR 10T ‘Bloater A’ Fish Van No. 2123 in GWR Brown. This is another diagram S8 van, but as a ‘Bloater A’ wagon features Westinghouse Air Brake equipment under the frame.
E87059 – GWR 10T ‘Bloater’ Fish Van GWR Brown (Shirtbutton)
Our third van is E87059, which depicts GWR 10T ‘Bloater’ Fish Van No. 2603 decorated in the GWR’s Brown livery with their ‘Shirtbutton’ roundel. This is a Diagram S9 wagon with shell ventilators on the roof. Unlike the previous wagons, this does not feature gas lighting equipment.
E87060 – GWR 10T ‘Bloater’ Fish Van BR Crimson
The penultimate fish van is E87060, which is GWR 10T ‘Bloater’ Fish Van No. W2240W in BR Crimson. This is another Diagram S9 van, but the shell ventilators have been removed from the roof.
E87061 – GWR 10T ‘Bloater’ Fish Van BR Crimson
The final model is E87061, which depicts GWR 10T ‘Bloater’ Fish Van No. W2661W in BR Crimson. Unlike the previous wagons, this Diagram S10 van does not feature louvres on the sides or ends or ventilators on the roof.
These fish vans are available from retailers now, so head to the Bachmann Europe website where you can find more information. Once you’ve selected your models, get in touch with your nearest retailer to order yours!
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