Graham Farish 378-004 20t Anchor Mounted Tank Wagon, N Gauge, Shell/BP Black

Early 14 Ton Tank Wagons with timber saddles, cradles and wire hawsers were built in response to the need for oil products to fuel Britain’s rapid development during the early-twentieth century, along with two world wars. As the hostilities of World War Two drew to a close, a new design of tank with a central anchor mechanism securing the tank to the chassis was agreed between the private operators, the Petroleum Board and the railway companies. Construction of this new wagon did not pick up pace until the early-1950s, and with the introduction of larger, vacuum braked tank wagons during the late-1950s, the Anchor-Mount design soon became obsolete, and the final wagons of this type were built in 1963.

These new Graham Farish models cover both the Class A and Class B tanks and can be produced with several variations, including the bottom outlet pipe and associated handwheel mounted on top of the tank, the steam heating inlet valve, and with a straight or cranked air vent. The top catwalks and filler can be depicted in their central position or offset, and where fitted the side ladders are constructed from fine metal etches. As standard, each model features separately fitted brake gear and brake levers, along with the filler cap which includes the distinctive securing clamps. On the prototype the underframe was constructed from metal section, and this is replicated on the model affording an unobstructed view through the frames when observed from above. Standard N scale couplings are fitted via NEM pockets and, as with all Graham Farish models, metal wheelsets – with either spoked or 3-hole disc wheels – complete the model.

Graham Farish N scale tank wagon from era 4, in pristine ‘Shell/BP’ black livery bearing running no. 6401. This Class B Tank wagon features an offset catwalk with ladders, a straight air vent, bottom outlet pipe and handwheel, a steam heating inlet valve, 3-hole disc wheels and NEM coupling pockets

Length 43mm