The Norths Navigation group of collieries was formed at the end of the 19th century and operated about 15 collieries by the 1914. They owned a large fleet of railway wagons to convey the production of their collieries.
The livery of the wagons was particularly attractive in the early years, featuring a monogram on the side door formed from the company initials. Wagon number 3000 was one of a larger order placed with the Gloucester RCW and supplied in December 1911.