Slaters Plastikard O Gauge 7031 MR/LMS Large Cattle Wagon Kit
The vehicle represented by our kit was built between 1905 and 1910 and is the later version of the Midland Railway cattle wagon, superseding an earlier but similar type which had an extra plank on the side and only one guardrail. Some vehicles had guardrails taken through the actual frame of the sides, while others had their rails simply bolted on to the outside of the frame. Some wagons of this type lasted into B.R. days, and the L.M.S. at one time converted some for use for ale traffic.
A total of 420 of these wagons were built by the MR and the design formed the basis for the standard L.M.S. cattle wagon.
Photographic evidence shows that when built, brake gear was fitted to one side only with a single V-hanger. Later was the addition of a second V-hanger and brakes on both sides. Some were fitted with screw link couplings and vacuum brakes.
Supplied with metal wheels, 3 link couplings and sprung buffers
The livery of these vehicles went through a number of changes over the years and some of the variations are shown on the instruction sheet. The basic body colour for M.R. goods vehicles was grey and this was continued by the L.M.S. until 1936 when a change to bauxite was made on new and repainted stock. Solebars were painted the relevant body colour and all below was black, as too were buffer heads, buffer bodies coupling hooks and links, brake levers and guards. Roofs in service would have generally been a muddy grey colour. Midland grey is a difficult colour to pin down, as its exact make up is not known. What is known however is that new vehicles were usually painted pale grey and repainted stock was painted in a dark grey called 'smudge' which was made up from Government surplus battleship grey and various left overs, resulting in a colour that could change from day to day!
Please note, the use of lime for cleaning cattle wagons ceased after WW1 and was banned in 1926, replaced by the ministry 'approved disinfectant' of 5% Phenol solution.