This simple kit represents an Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Diagram 1 "Low Goods" wagon, a single plank open wagon that saw widespread use on the L&Y throughout its existence. Low Goods wagons made up a significant fraction of L&Y rolling stock throughout its existence, with approximately 3,000 in use in 1850 and nearly 10,000 in 1921. Diagram 1 was the most prolific design, making up in excess of 20% of the wagon fleet throughout their existence, with 7,675 in use in 1921.
This kit is based on the design found in L&Y Drawing 2012, dated 1887, with a wooden underframe and standard 9' wheelbase. The design of the Diagram 1 Low Goods wagon saw only minor modifications, mainly relating to the axle boxes and brake gear, and was still being built to a similar design at the end of the L&Y. A handful of steel underframe wagons were built at various points, but wooden underframes were by far the most common.
Low Goods wagons survived into use with BR in the early 1960s, carrying a range of goods loads. Photographs show the type carrying a variety of large sheeted loads, early LMS containers, folded tarpaulins while returning empty, in use as runner wagons for oversize loads, and converted to match trucks for cranes.
The kit comes as a simple two part assembly, consisting of the wagon underframe and the wagon body. These parts slot together easily and can then be glued in place. Assembly instructions, historical data, and livery suggestions can be found here.
Two forms of the underframe are available, varying the position of the handbrake levers. The "brakes same end" version places both handbrake levers at the same end of the wagon, the L&Y's initial response to a requirement for two hand brake levers per wagon. The "brakes right hand end" has a post-1903 arrangement, meeting the new requirement that handbrake levers were always at the right hand side.
Optional coupler pockets are provided. In N, standard NEM 355 pockets, in addition to NEM 356/357 couplers. In OO, standard NEM 362 pockets are provided, without couplers.
Axles and transfers are not included with this kit. L&Y, LMS, and BR liveries would all be appropriate, depending on the era being modelled.
The models are set up to accept standard pin-point axles - 14.3mm length in N, 26mm length for OO/EM/P4. These wagons ran with 8 spoke wheels throughout their life, and should work with widely available ~6mm diameter wheels in N and ~12mm in OO.
Historic details for the Diagram 1 wagon are taken from Lancashire and Yorkshire Wagons Volume 1, N. Coates, Wild Swan Publications, and information provided via the L&Y Society website
Please note that our models are supplied unpainted, and the colour of the model may differ from the photographed examples.
None currently in stock, but you can still purchase some - more are being printed. Please allow an extra 2-3 days for delivery.
