U Class Van (Steel)

One of the 6 wheel vans with corrugated iron roof prior to change to four wheels or bogies in the late 1930s. Modified from a SEM standard 4 wheel U van.

My second steel U van represents one of the short 10 ton versions, and is notable in that it is the first wagon I have rebuilt from one of my Shelley Railways - Cudgewa wagons. Some of the modifications are shown in the pre-repainting shot below, and by comparison with the original NG version also below. Not so noticeable in the backdating is the replacement of the handrail cut-outs at the end with the original louvre - the handrails only appear to have been added once automatic couplings were introduced, to assist Shunters.