The LNER Encyclopedia

I recently purchased a built kit of a NB cattle wagon. However, its lettering is not finished and I don't have a photo of one in the early LNER period livery with large NE etc.

I would be grateful is someone could post a photo of a real wagon or picture of a model with complete lettering.

Andrew Emmett

Glad the Daily Mail is keeping you on your toes Kestrel.

Andrew, I am seeing what I have for NB cattle wagons, but it will not be that different to other Areas in terms of lettering layout.

John

Thanks John

The main reason I'm asking is I'm wondering if the NE is slotted over the slots between planks. I had to do this on a GC bogie fish van.

Regards

Andrew

There is a picture on page 113 of Peter Tatlow's LNER Wagons Vol.3.
This is vehicle 703516 in early LNER livery.
The appears to be an infill between the planks where the large N and E letters cross what would have been the gap.
This infill is not present on the wagons with the NB livery, or with the later LNER post-1936 lettering.

These look like nice wagons. I'm tempted to build one!

Beneath the picture of 703516 is a picture showing two of these wagons, both with later pattern lettering. There is also a shot of a wagon of this design in Hooper's work on North British wagons at page 43, again with late pattern lettering. It is noteworthy that the infill of the gaps where the large 'NE' is to appear has not been applied (or has been removed) on two of these vehicles after application of the new lettering scheme, but has been retained on one (the left hand vehicle in the lowest picture on page 113 of Tatlow, the number of which is out of shot). Apparently the infill was a somewhat transient expedient to assist letter painting.

Post deleted. Not furthering the topic.

John

You'll have to explain, JASd17

Thanks for replies above.

Drmditch I have sent you a PM.

Andrew Emmett

DRMditch thanks for your PM. Not sure what's happening, my PMs to you don't seem to be sending. I've never had this trouble before.

Anyway your assumption in the PM was correct.

Regards

Andrew Emmett

Hi Andrew,

I have looked through many hundreds of LNER photos in the hope of catching a useful glimpse of an NBR cattle van in the correct livery, beyond those available in published sources. A blank so far in a clear image, I am afraid.

Not altogether wasted though, some interesting vehicles noted.

Further, am I correct in thinking that the front splasher top of NBR locos, when in LNER green livery, was painted black, as was the lower coupling rod splasher top, where applicable?

John

In the NBRSG photo archive there are a couple of photos of ex NBR 8/10T Medium Cattle wagons in late LNER condition (probably withdrawn, awaiting scrapping), but one appears to be still in traffic (no markings, photo dated 03/09/1947). This is 700558, built Cowlairs 1914, unfitted but with screw couplings, "livery" appears to be very well worn wood. Sorry, can't post the photo.
Markings:
MEDIUM - centrally, both horiz and vert, top plank (of four), in the panel next to the LH door
NE - bottom of 2nd plank down, at LHS of end panel
8T - just below horiz centre line, LHS of third plank down
700558 - at top of LHS, fourth plank down, i.e. the bottom one

Weight, 6-7, is central at the bottom of the bottom plank on the RHS.

722364 (built Cowlairs 1898) is similar, except 8T and 722364 are on the third plank down. This wagon has 3-link couplings.

It's not much, but I hope it helps.

Many thanks to all those who have responded - I now have sufficient information to complete the model I bought.

Andrew Emmett