An etched-brass kit requiring wheels (Slaters 7120 or equivalent), couplings, paint and lettering to finish.

The 8 ton Goods Open wagon was introduced in 1872, to various drawings and with wheelbases varying from 8’6”, through 9’ up to a length of 10’, with equivalent overall lengths of 14’6”, 15’4” and 16’6”. Ten years later, St. Rollox works produced drawing 3235, and the prototype of this kit was born, being given Diag. No. 42 in the 1898 listing. The dimensions were 15’ over headstocks, 7’2” wide, with a side depth of 2’2”. It was 18’4” over the buffers and had a wheelbase of 9’0”.

At the same time, drawing 3504 was issued, for a full-height dropside side door wagon, the dimensions being virtually the same. Over the years, both wagon types were upgraded with stronger underframes, both in wood and steel, heavier springs, and self-contained buffers. The width grew to 7’7” and eventually wagons capable of loading 10 tons were built.

Finally, the diagrams were re-organised, with the dropside wagon being allocated Dia. No. 15, and full-height side door wagon became Dia. No. 24. However this did not resolve the matter with older wagons, as in the 1898 listing, Dia. No. 42 contained 3 and 4 plank wagons, dropside, centre door and fixed side vehicles

Thus the prototype of this kit could have been in Dia. 15 or 42, but as the weight of evidence suggest the former, that what was settled upon.

Known running numbers for 8 ton wagons are 4741, 5972, 35094, 38208 and 39207.

10 ton wagons are 1558 and 6853. Add 300000 for LMS numbers.

Much of this information was supplied by George Dawson with significant help from Jim Mackintosh and Ronnie Cockburn