Rapido Trains UK has revealed plans to add an all-new ‘OO’ gauge Diagram Y4 Banana van to its range of GWR wagons.
In 1918, the first of 300 GWR Diagram V16 ‘Mink A’ vehicles were converted to Diagram X6 insulated meat vans and recoded as ‘Mica A’ vans. This was a temporary measure as 258 of these were subsequently modified in 1922 to become Diagram ‘Y6’ banana vans for use between Avonmouth docks and destinations in London, the Midlands and the West Country. They were fitted with steam heating and new end ventilators to help ripen the fruit whilst in transit.
Rapido Trains UK’s all-new ‘OO’ gauge Diagram Y4 banana vans will be incorporated within the extensive tooling suite for the previously announced V14 and V16 ‘Mink A’ vans (HM189). They will also feature steam heating pipes, new doors, relocated latches and locks, end vents modelled in the closed postiion and spoked metal wheels in metal bearings.
Seven models will form the initial batch of Y4 banana vans finished as 93405 in GWR grey with 16in lettering (Cat No. 944030), 95249 in GWR grey with 16in lettering (944031), 93566 in GWR grey with 16in lettering (944032), 93563 in post-1942 GWR grey (944033), 95665 in post-1942 GWR grey (944034), 93525 in BR bauxite (944035) and 93370 in BR bauxite (944036).
Priced at £32.95 each, release is expected in early 2024.
Visit www.rapidotrains.co.uk for more information.
