Ex W.D. stock information
The Ministry of Defence had a large number of 2'6" gauge "Fire Class" wagons and vans for use on their own light railway systems, most of which were operated by the Admiralty.
Examples of these items have only recently become available to the general public as the sites where they spent most of their working lives were restricted and photography was prohibited. Many were never sold off after use, but burned on site in case they were impregnated with explosives. The MOD livery was battleship grey with black ironwork.
All lettering was stencilled either in black on the grey background or white on black painted panels and ironwork.
The Powder Van (Works Van), Flat Wagon and Open Sided Wagons were obtained from Deans Hill RN Depot, near Salisbury. All were regauged to 2'0" at the BWLR.
None of the Open Sided Wagons remain in the original MOD form. These wagons had open sides and three widely spaced planks fixed to the end stanchions. Although of standard design, the position of fittings such as docket clips, rope cleats and end stanchions varies between individual wagons. Some of the safety chain brackets have square bases and others have circular bases. Rope cleats are positioned on the ends of the floor and also mounted on plates welded onto the outside of the side channels. The end stanchions angles have grab handles welded to the insides for use as additional rope cleats. A strengthening angle is fixed on the underside of the floor edges.
The BWLR. livery is grey with black ironwork and lettering in white.
