Goods Wagons in the UK

There is no doubt that a greater understanding of the UK wagon fleet enhances the appreciation of the rail-enthusiasts’ hobby, whether for railway modelling purposes or simply enjoying watching the real thing, or both. The wagon numbering system alone is outdated and can be a minefield. Wagons built since 2008, including some conversions and rebuilds, now conform to the Europe-wide system of wagon numbering. In this book, however, the focus is on exploring almost 200 examples from among the thousands of UK wagons remaining in use that carry private-owner or nationalised UK air-braked numbering systems.

Since the TOPS coding system was introduced in the 1970s much has changed in the rail-freight sector. The alphabetical classification used for wagon types has not. In this publication the 100 or so classifications are each featured and explained. Ranging from flat wagons for carrying shipping containers to wagons designed specifically for carrying steel or stone, for example, the variety of wagons built in the twentieth century that are still in use today are detailed.

Drawing on one of the largest collections of wagon images on the Internet, John Jackson explores these survivors with the featured wagons arranged numerically for ease of reference. The cross-section included is designed to enhance the enthusiast’s understanding and, it is hoped, enjoyment of watching freight trains in the UK.

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