New GCR 15T Brake Van in OO

This model will feature the usual wealth of detail seen on Rapido’s previously released pre-grouping era brake vans, including many separately fitted parts like highly detailed brake gear, running boards, vacuum pipes, rails, lamp irons and chimney. 

The van's interior contains a guard’s desk, stove, sandboxes and lockers and the model is also fitted with metal bearings for smooth running.

Currently in the tooling stage, the order book is open, with models priced at £46.95. 

Available liveries

• GC Grey No.35706
• GC Grey No.9365
• GC Grey No.9515
• CLC (Early) Grey No.2166
• CLC (Late) Grey No.4481
• LNER Freight Oxide pre-1936 No.136988
• LNER Freight Oxide pre-1936 No.509494
• LNER Freight Oxide post-1936 No.531772
• LNER Freight Oxide post-1936 No.509424
• BR Bauxite Pre-64 No.531725
• BR LNER Freight Oxide No.E531771
• BR Bauxite Pre-1964 No.E531727
• BR Grey No.E535650
• BR Grey No.E531773
• BR Departmental Black DE634310
• NCB Durham Division Harton Unit  No.A11

About the prototype

Built over a 20-year period by a combination of the Great Central Railways Dukinfield Works and outside contractors, a significant number of these sturdy 6-wheeled vans could be seen across the GCR network from as early as 1903.

The 15T brake vans featured a built-in stove and desk, covered verandas that offered a good line of sight in both directions and a delightful 2-plank hatch-type door on either end. These were fitted so that the guard could easily change tail lamps without leaving his van. Many of the vans were fitted with automatic vacuum gear, meaning they could be used on fitted freights such as the express fish traffic from the East Coast.

In 1915 the Great Central Railway provided the Cheshire Lines Committee with 10 of these 15t Brake Vans, furthering the design's reach to the North West of England and Wales.

Upon the grouping of the railways in 1923 the LNER inherited hundreds of Great Central brake vans, including a significant quantity of this 15T variant. Many would replace the smaller GNR brake vans on East Coast mainline services. This design clearly struck a chord with the LNER as production continued throughout 1923, further bolstering their stock with another 24 vans.

With its accessibility, functionality and comfort, it is no wonder the prototype was built in such numbers and ran for such a prolonged period of time.

The LNER trackage was vast, and it wasn’t long before this brake van was used up and down the network, from Glasgow to Kings Cross. They got everywhere and quickly became a regular feature on long-distance cross-country freight and local trains too.

Many GCR 6-wheelers survived until nationalisation, with BR examples being spotted everywhere from Wick to the Wisbech and Upwell Tramway. Variants even made it into the hands of the National Coal Board and were used by BR as ballast brakes and engineering vehicles.

One example of the prototype was saved in 1975 by the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust and currently resides at Kirkby Stephen East. This example was owned by the NCB and is noticeably different to the majority of the other GCR 6-wheelers, as it features vertical planking that is believed to have been installed by the NCB.

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