eastworld Posted October 31, 2023 Share Posted October 31, 2023 There was a time that it was possible to see redundant box van bodies used as sheds, although they are getting thinner on the ground. However, I don't recall ever seeing brake van bodies used in the same way - was there a reason for this (apart from the fact that there were vastly fewer of them)? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted October 31, 2023 Share Posted October 31, 2023 Why opt for a 10' shed when you can get a 17'6'' shed for the same money ? 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craneman Posted October 31, 2023 Share Posted October 31, 2023 (edited) There used to be an AA23 (I think) Toad used as a byre just north of the A4068 between Brynamman and Rhosaman. Streetview suggests that it is still there but so far gone as to be more or less unrecognisable. Sad really, when it first came to my attention it was virtually complete with all the internal hardware. Edited October 31, 2023 by craneman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir douglas Posted October 31, 2023 Share Posted October 31, 2023 There is a LNWR brake body on the Welshpool & Llanfair at Cyfronydd https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/630002 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
41516 Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 There's a photo in the HMRS BR Brake Vans and Ballast Ploughs book of BR standard brake van B953447 being used as a grounded shunter's hut at Toton. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 A friend of mine is converting a couple into glamping units. steve 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forward! Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 Probably because without large double-opening side doors, they're not much use as a storage shed! (LSWR road vans excluded, of course!) Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipbadger Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 The vicarage garden in Newnham, Gloucestershire had an ex-LMS brake van body in the garden. By the time I was acquanted with it it was almost totally rotted away. The only thing I salvaged was a lamp bracket. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 32 minutes ago, shipbadger said: ... The only thing I salvaged was a lamp bracket. Proportionately, there's less original material in "Beachy Head" - so there's nothing to prevent your authentic restoration of this vehicle ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoke West Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 1 hour ago, shipbadger said: The vicarage garden in Newnham, Gloucestershire had an ex-LMS brake van body in the garden. By the time I was acquanted with it it was almost totally rotted away. The only thing I salvaged was a lamp bracket. They make a good summerhouse or workshop with stove Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 The stove might be an optional extra ...... the hole in the roof would come as standard. ☹️ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artless Bodger Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 4 hours ago, Wickham Green too said: there's less original material in "Beachy Head" There's been a few million years of erosion since the Cretaceous to thank for that. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 It was mostly the construction of them. Most of the body strength was in the chassis so you needed the chassis as well in most cases. But, as well as their general usefulness as a brake van, it might be worth considering they were virtually 20 tons of metal with a bit of wood on top. A bit of paraffin to get rid of the wood and the scrapman is very happy. Jason 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoke West Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Steamport Southport said: It was mostly the construction of them. Most of the body strength was in the chassis so you needed the chassis as well in most cases. But, as well as their general usefulness as a brake van, it might be worth considering they were virtually 20 tons of metal with a bit of wood on top. A bit of paraffin to get rid of the wood and the scrapman is very happy. Jason From what iv'e seen of scrap brake vans the weight is concrete with brake blocks thrown in it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Saunders Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 30 minutes ago, Stoke West said: From what I've seen of scrap brake vans the weight is concrete with brake blocks thrown in it There was a quote from breaker in the Tinsley area, 'take these away and send some proper wagons'. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium phil-b259 Posted November 2, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Stoke West said: From what iv'e seen of scrap brake vans the weight is concrete with brake blocks thrown in it It varied over time. Yes latterly concrete was indeed used but I understand that before WW1 at least scrap metal was used a weights. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 1 hour ago, phil-b259 said: ... Yes latterly concrete was indeed used but I understand that before WW1 at least scrap metal was used a weights. A lot later than that ......... I don't think concrete ballast was used before the LNER vans that BR adopted as a standard. i.e. probably WW2. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoke West Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 35 minutes ago, Wickham Green too said: A lot later than that ......... I don't think concrete ballast was used before the LNER vans that BR adopted as a standard. i.e. probably WW2. Probably WW2 when scrap was needed for the war effort plus loads of free ash mixed with cement a no brainer 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 55 minutes ago, Stoke West said: ...WW2 when scrap was needed for the war effort ... Ah - yes ...... I'd forgotten all those brake blocks ( and park railings ) they melted down to make Spitfires !!!?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoke West Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 51 minutes ago, Wickham Green too said: Ah - yes ...... I'd forgotten all those brake blocks ( and park railings ) they melted down to make Spitfires !!!?! I suspect shipping Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 However they were still outbidding anyone else who wanted to buy one by a large margin. They also didn't have as many problems with transporting them as they were buying them in bulk and either cutting on site or getting them delivered directly to the scrapyard. Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIA185 Posted November 3, 2023 Share Posted November 3, 2023 Staines West had a 'Toad' body as a bothy outside the engine shed. It survived long after the loco shed had fallen down. (CJL) 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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