Betton Grange Box Van M30454

Anyone able to provide a history of this vehicle. It has recently been acquired by 6880 Society as a stores wagon, and we would just like to learn more of it. We were told it was a NER wagon but the number on it says M30454, so we are not sure on anything to do with this vehicle. Any information greatly appreciated.

Recent photos are below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51912667@N05/4921147859/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51912667@N05/4921148903/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51912667@N05/4921151717/

 

What is the source of the vehicle? It looks to be LNER style, but the Royal Navy Armaments Department had wagons of the same design built to direct order, I note the Charles Roberts plate.

Tim

 

The only information I have to date is that we purchased the van from a Mr Mimms of the DFR, who had purchased it from the MOD in 1994 and that he was under the impression it is of NER origin.

 

Agreed, but it's odd that it's unventilated. Perhaps a mongrel?

Regards

 

Only a random thought, but when I worked in Barry Docks I remember seeing long lines of various types of wagons that (I think) arrived from the former armaments depot at RAF/USAF Caerwent. They all went for scrapping at Woodhams. I wonder if it might have originated from Caerwent?

 

Does this mean its now located at the Llangollen?
This was purpose built for the MOD by Chas Roberts in 1940. 30454 is its ROF Glascoed I/d & wouldn't have had a 'M' pref. They were also 10t not 13t as in your photo. It was registered by the GWR in the 85xxx range, sadly this is the only registration I don't have for this batch from 15 survivors! Its possible this may be stamped into the frame. It also may have initially been ordered for the Army in the 47xxx range but not confirmed. It is loosely based on a LNER dia 094.
Steve

Number Origin Class/Type Owner/Operator Liv Details Notes Other Number
30403 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Dean Forest Railway Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85185
30406 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Battlefield Line BN Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85139/47170
30408 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Gwili Railway LG Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85192
30412 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Battlefield Line b/w Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85332/47246
30418 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Keith & Dufftown Railway Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85112
30419 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust GR Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85337
30420 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Keith & Dufftown Railway Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85336
30426 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Dean Forest Railway Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85135 ?
30449 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Gwili Railway BN Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85121
30450 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway GR Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85152
30452 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Peak Rail G Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85326
30454 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Dean Forest Railway Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed
30463 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Battlefield Line GR Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85124/47155
30467 MOD 10t 4w Box Van 'Plank' Battlefield Line LG Chas Roberts 1940 ex ROF Glascoed Reg85141/47172

 

Yes it has been bought by the 6880 Society and is presently in Pentrefellin being prepared for outside storage in Llangollen Yard.
So will it have been in MOD use all of its life then? Why did the GWR register it ?

 

Yes, all those I listed were delivered to the MOD from new.
All privately owned wagons, MOD included, were registered by one of the main operators in pre nat days and later by BR. The registration would have been plated on the frame. The llangollen has several private owner tanks. You may have noticed some carry plates 16xxxx 18xxxx etc. These were not the running number the owners applied.
Steve

 

Why were they registered with one of the big 4 if going into MOD use ?
Also I haven't noticed a plate though will see if I notice anything when I'm next down Llangollen.

 

Probably so that they could be used over the national network, if required. Wagons (and locos) that ran over the network had to be inspected and accepted by one of the 'main line' railways to ensure that they were maintained to a suitable standard. Internal user only wagons didn't require this. Even the MOD was not exempt, as far as I know.

 

Even if the plate is long gone, you may well find the registration number stamped on the solebar, in the area where the registration plate would have been (look for a couple of holes and maybe an outline shape to the left hand end). On 'ours' the registration number is stamped along with the company (GWR) and year (1939). The GWR were pretty good at stamping things, so it's worth doing a bit of paint scraping for a look. It may be worth checking both sides of the vehicle, in case only one side was stamped.

 

I have the registration number of GWR 85135 for 30454, but I don't know whether this is correct since I haven't seen 30454 myself.

 

just to completely throw a spanner in the works, it looks simular to our LNWR box van, which I think was 13 Tons