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Toad Brake vans - Manchester Ship Canal

Discussion in 'Heritage Rolling Stock' started by mlivingstone, Jan 21, 2026 at 4:33 PM.

  1. mlivingstone

    mlivingstone New Member

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    Hi, does anyone know what colour the MSC but ex-GWR Toad Brake vans were please?


    I understand two were grey and two were orange but what shades?


    We're looking to repaint ours at Bury into MSC livery


    Cheers
     
    mlivingstone, Jan 21, 2026 at 4:33 PM
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  2. StoneRoad

    StoneRoad Well-Known Member

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    StoneRoad, Jan 21, 2026 at 5:33 PM
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  3. marshall5

    marshall5 Part of the furniture

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    11-82-09 MSC brake van Ellesmere Port 10.82 .jpg My recollection is that all the MSC brake vans were painted gloss black. Perhaps the black, as it weathered, gave the appearance of dark grey? I'm sure that I have photos of the Toads somewhere but, for now, the one of an early LMS van (to an MR design) will have to do.
    Ray.
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2026 at 7:22 PM
    marshall5, Jan 21, 2026 at 5:57 PM
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  4. mlivingstone

    mlivingstone New Member

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    17690302394388150539461139730284.jpg
    That's a brilliant photo, thank you - keep 'em coming! Your photo is of the breakdown van 6718 with the enclosed platform

    I have Don Thorpe's book "The Railways of the Manchester Ship Canal" and an ex-GWR Toad went to Rutland Railway Museum on 26th July 1983
    20260121_211257.jpg
     
    mlivingstone, Jan 21, 2026 at 9:23 PM
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  5. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Interesting

    I gather that on BR 'Toads' were unpopular apart from on the Western
     
    johnofwessex, Jan 21, 2026 at 10:02 PM
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  6. StoneRoad

    StoneRoad Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Jan 22, 2026 at 11:50 AM
    StoneRoad, Jan 21, 2026 at 10:12 PM
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