Description
The Highland Railway had a range of timber and bolster wagons. Originally built with removable non-swivel bolsters, later wagons were equipped with swivelling bolsters from new. Numerous alterations occurred including the fixing of end sheeting and perhaps drop doors at one end. However, photographs show the original three-bolt buffer and ‘scotch’ brake on both sides of the wagon in both LMS and BR liveries.
This kit depicts the 8 ton version, which may be built with swivel or non-swivelling bolsters and open ends.
Twin wagons were used for a wide variety of traffic, in pairs, threes or in fact any number as the need arose! They were normally used for timber and other short loads when the bolster or stanchions were used. Wagons in the centre of loaded rakes had their bolsters removed, as they also had when used for road vehicles or similar flat loads. Removed bolsters were stored diagonally on the wagon floor. This wagon was a not uncommon sight in goods yards in Northern Scotland and on occasions in Southern Scotland and Northern England. Twin wagons were long lived and saw an active life of over 50 years.