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Iron Mink

Iron Mink (Diagram V6) available(?) in 2 versions:

  • from the Association, 2-522 - currently TOS (with later planked doors, including solebars, but no roof)
  • from the N gauge society (with no solebars, but alternative planked/iron doors, and roof)

Suggested components (for Association version):

  • 2-330 underframe
  • 2-041 wheel bearings (x4, supplied x50)
  • 2-010 wheels, 12.25mm, spoked (x2)
  • axleboxes ? probably one of the grease axleboxes for early version. e.g. 2-471 or 2-472, but oil for later e.g. 2-473
  • springs ? probably 2-462 or 2-463
  • buffer heads ? probably 2-064

Optionally 2-033 for roof (supplied x5 or x6) Alternatively make from styrene sheet.

For N Gauge Society version add 2-335 convert wooden solebar to steel. Omit roof.

Prototype

built 1886-1901, totalling about 4,300.  Most were condemned during 1933-9, some lasted to BR days, usually as static stores, being relatively secure against rodents etc.

In addition: 300 similar vehicles built 1906-7 for Spillers, acquired by GWR 1911, given diagram V15, and 30 of them sold to Rhymney Railway (see below).

Similar vehicles built for various Welsh railways, thus acquired by GWR at Grouping:

  • Barry Railway approx 700
  • Brecon & Merthyr Railway approx 15
  • Cambrian Railways 2 (Gunpowder vans)
  • Rhondda & Swansea Bay Railway approx 160
  • Rhymney Railway approx 50 plus 30 ex Spillers/GWR (see above)
  • Taff Vale Railway approx 140.

Approximately 100 similar vehicles were built as Gunpowder vans during 1897-1924, some being converted to conventional vans after World War I but back to Gunpowder vans for World War II.

Changes

Grease axleboxes were converted to oil between 1897 and about 1915.

During late 1920s and early 1930s an additional brake lever and single brake block was fitted to comply with the Board of Trade's "Prevention of Accident Rules, 1911", deadline being 1938.

After 1927 a vertical planked door replaced the iron one whenever doors were renewed.

Literature:

  • All about GWR Iron Minks, by Lewis, Lloyd, Metcalf and Miller (HMRS)
  • A History of GWR Goods Wagons, by Atkins, Beard, Hyde and Tourret (David & Charles)