Dapol O Gauge 7F-065-003 BR M522304 ex-LMS 12ton Horizontally Planked Box Van Vacuum Braked BR Bauxite

The LMS introduced a new style of body for their standard 12ton box vans in 1935 with pressed steel ends and horizontal planking. 7,500 were built to Diagram D1897 in the later 1930s, Lots 823, 824 & 825 being vacuum fitted whilst Lot 826, 838, 839 and 840 were unfitted. Many further examples of these vans were built, including batches constructed after nationalisation, bringing the total to around 21,000!
LMS-built vacuum fitted vans usually had 'J hanger' suspension with rubber secondary spring pads but non-vacuum vans were often equipped with the basic RCH springing. During the 1950s British Railways equipped many of these quite new vans with vacuum trains brakes, these conversions normally having low-level 'coach type' train brake hoses compared to the upright high level hose connections on the 'fitted from new' vans.