Freight Trains
On this page there is some information about goods trains relevant to the steam / early diesel era.
The following are taken from the BR Rule book (1950 edition).
Brake vans.
(Rule 153)
- A freight train must not be run on any running line beyond station limits without
a brake van in the rear, unless authorised by the operating superintendent.
- Where a freight train is authorised to run without a brake van in the rear, a brake van,
or other suitable vehicle, for the use of the man in charge of such train, must be attached as near to the rear of the train as practicable.
Where no such vehicle is available the man may ride on the engine. A tail lamp must be carried on the last vehicle.
Tail Lights on Goods Trains.
- Rule 120: Every train on a running line must always have a tail lamp attached to the rear of the last vehicle.
- Rule 121: Freight trains, with the exception of fully fitted trains must carry side lights showing a white light forward on the rear brake van after sunset or during fog or falling snow; the indication to the rear must be as follows:
- On Main, Fast or Single lines - two red lights.
- On Slow lines, Relief lines, or Goods lines, adjoining Main or Fast lines and running in the same direction - One red light on side furthest
away from the Main or Fast line and one white light on side nearest to the Main or Fast line.
- On Goods lines adjoining Slow or Relief lines and running in the same direction - Two red lights.
- On reception sidings, or loops controlled from one signal box - The side lamps must be removed or obscured when the train has passed into the loop or siding.
Where side lights are shown to be carried, the side lamps must be in position during daylight as well as during darkness.
Mixed trains must carry side lights as laid down for freight trains.
Dangerous Goods
- Not more than five vehicles containing explosives can be conveyed by any one train.
- Vehicles carrying explosives or flammible liquids or gasses must be marshalled as near to the middle of the train as possible.
- Vehicle containing inflammible liquids must not be sheeted. (Presumably refers to wagons carrying drums etc.)
- There must be two empty wagons or wagons carrying non-explosive traffic (usually termed barrier wagons)
between the locomotive and the wagons carrying explosives or flammible liquids. (The barrier wagons are not require for short trip
workings between sidings and marshalling yards). This rule seems to have been removed after the end of steam.
- Empty tank wagons to be treated the same as full tank wagons.
The latter two rules would appear to only apply to Class 'A' wagons (see
Tank Wagons)
British Railways Goods Livery
| Running gear | Black | |
| | Type | Body Colour | Lettering Colour |
|---|
| Unfitted Stock | All | Pale Grey
Notes: The shade changed c1964.
In early BR days some wooden bodied open wagons
were turned out unpainted. | White on black patch
(incl. un-painted vehicles |
| Fitted Stock | General Vehicles | Bauxite
Notes: The shade changed c1964. | White |
| Insulated/Refrigerated Vans | Original - white | Black |
| Later - Mid blue | White |
| Ventilated Meat vans | Original - Passenger Crimson | Yellow |
| Later - Bauxite | White |
Notes:
- Unfitted stock: Wagons fitted only with a hand brake.
- Fitted Stock: Fitted with continuous vacuum brake systems. These were supposed
to have the brake pipe painted red though it appears this was often ignored.
- Piped Stock: These wagons were only fitted with hand brakes, but had through piping enabling the brakes
of fitted wagons behind them to be operated. On these wagons the brake pipe should be white.
Tank Wagons
From a railway point of view oil products are divided into:
- Class 'A': Highly inflammible liquids; Light Distillate, Naptha, Motor Spirit (petrol / gasoline).
- Class 'B': Inflammible liquids; Kerosene (paraffin), Gas Oil (Diesel Oil), Light Fuel Oil.
In practical operations class 'A' wagons are also used to carry some class 'B' products (e.g. gas oil) where these drain and leave
the tank clean inside. Heavy fuel oils and lighter grades of bitumen are carried in Class 'B' wagons.
Unlike most other freight wagons, tank wagons were not taken over by British Railways at nationalisation and remained
the property of the oil companies. They are, therefore, among the few private owner wagons that should appear on British Railways
era layouts.
Tank Wagon Livery
The basic livery for tank wagons was originally specified by the RCH (Railway Clearing House). In addition the wagon would carry
the owning company's logos and warning notices.
| | Period | Underframe | Tank Colour |
|---|
| Class 'A' | 1902 | No Information
Probably Black | Light Stone with a bright red band, 6 inches (150mm) wide running horizontally round the sides and ends. |
| 1939 | Solebars red; below black |
Light Stone or Aluminium; The red band to remain on the ends, but need only extend a short distance on the sides. |
| Post war | Solebars red; below black |
Aluminium; No red band. |
| 1960 | Solebars red; below black |
Light Grey or Aluminium; No red band. |
| Class 'B' | All | Black. | Originally Red Oxide, most soon became Black. |
| Star Markings: |
|---|
| Colour: White or Black (depending on tank colour) |
| No Star | Only allowed in slow trains. |
|---|
 | Allowed in trains running at an average speed of 35 mph. |
 | Wagons with continuous brakes and long wheelbase allowed to run at speeds up to 60mph (introduced post 1955) |
| Note: There was also a three star marking, but this was for use on tank wagons intended for use in passenger trains, e.g. milk tankers. |
