L&YR/LMS/BR Horsebox

The 1901 horse box, diagram 109A, is a relatively modern design with tumblehome curved sides and innovations to make life more comfortable both for horse and groom. These vehicles also had dual vacuum and Westinghouse brakes to enable them to work freely on the adjacent NER and Caledonian Railways, both of which were air braked railways. The LMS would have removed the Westinghouse fittings during its ownership. It is worthy of note that all of the diagram 109A vehicles kept their oil lamps to the last withdrawal date.

A total of 73 vehicles were built to this diagram (109A). The last building took place in 1920 when No.31 took to the rails, replacing the original No.31 which was wrecked in an accident after only a few years in service. After 1923 all of these were absorbed into LMS stock. LMS numbers, in 1933, were from 43632 to 43693. Those surviving into BR ownership were allocated an M prefix to the LMS number.

The article on L&YR Horseboxes by Barry Lane in Modellers Backtrack for April/May 1994 contains useful photos and information on the diagram 109A horseboxes.

The horseboxes were originally fitted with 3ft 7in Mansell disc wheels, although later plain disc wheels of the same diameter may have been fitted.

The kit consists of an etched brass body and chassis with whitemetal detailing parts and sprung buffers. A pre-formed brass roof is supplied. The chassis has rocking W-Iron suspension.

Wheels and couplings are needed to complete the kit.

You can download a pdf version (which requires Adobe Acrobat to be read) of the instructions for this kit by clicking here

This file is 2.7 MB which will take a while to download if you are on a dial-up connection.

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