Inevitably in most modelling projects, there is a requirement for the clean-up of parts prior to assembly. This may...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
What are the benefits of a multiple grit sanding stick?Read more -
What is a roundhouse?Read moreA roundhouse refers to a specialised building, typically found in larger rail depots, designed for housing and...
-
What is BR sectorisation?Read more"BR sectorisation" refers to the reorganisation period starting in 1982 when British Rail restructured its operations...
-
What is the difference between bullhead and flat-bottom rail?Read moreFrom a modeller's perspective, there is no practical difference between bullhead and flat-bottom rail. The existence...
-
My rails have been damaged, how can I straighten them?Read moreFortunately, incidents where track gets damaged after installation are relatively rare, but spare track, and track...
What is the purpose of a brake van?
Brake vans (originally called break vans) were first employed on early industrial tramways and cableways to provide braking should coupling fail. They were needed because early wagons didn't have brakes of their own. These types of wagons are known as un-fitted wagons.
As the railways developed through the 19th century, many practices from the early tramways were inherited, including the use of brake vans.
Brake vans started to appear with enclosed cabins for the guard and creature comforts such as a seat, fireplace and stove were installed. Brake vans also carried a variety of tools to assist the guard with coupling, breakdowns and emergencies. As trains got longer and heavier, brake vans were also used to help with regular service braking as well as runaway situations.
The use of brake vans on un-fitted and part-fitted trains remained commonplace until the mass introduction of fitted wagons during the 1960s and '70s and even longer in some circumstances.
Posted in: Rolling stock
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
SECR/SR Dancehall Brake Van
Price: £ 21.30SECR "Dance Hall" Brake Van Kit (D1560) - includes parts for ballast brake...
BR Brake Van. Civil Engineers livery
Price: £ 13.90BR Brake Van. Civil Engineers liveryPeco Quality Line Wagons. Fully painted,...
Related posts
-
How to weight my model so it does not tip?For wargaming figures, a small coin or washer glued to the under side of the base will usually to do the job. This... - Is Bachmann compatible with Hornby?Yes, any OO scale loco, wagon or coach will work on any OO scale track, regardless of brand. Couplings are also...
- What are tension lock couplings?Tension lock couplings are the standard couplings for model trains in the UK. These are the ones we all know from...
- How do I test the width between the wheels of my engines?The best way to check the wheels of your locomotives is to use a tool called a back to back gauge. They are...
- How do I clean the wheels of my engine?One easy way is to get yourself a Peco cleaning kit containing a wire brush, wheel scraper, foam cradle and oil. The...