P.O.P. stood for Peake, Oliver & Peake, one of the most respected names in the London coal business. Edward Copson Peake took over the family business of H.C.Peake and later Ernest Oliver and Robert Peake joined him. Oliver becoming general manager and the company was quite extensive at the end of the Victorian era. Over the years Peake, Oliver & Peake Ltd became London agents for various collieries, selling their coal for mainly domestic use but also had four contracts for the supply of gas-coal outside London. Thus their wagons could be found in Reading, Lincoln, Banbury and Harworth. They were also seen much further afield as they bought coal from many different collieries around the country.
The model is of one of the company's coke wagons for which it was fitted with extension boards. Coke being lighter than coal could be carried in taller wagons. The model is grey with lettering in white, shaded black, and carries the fleet number 215. Like the coke wagons used by the company, the model has an end door as well as side doors. Coke would have been a by-product of the gas works that the company supplied and could be resold for domestic use. It is expected that this model will be soon in the shops.
Model Railway Express
Run by model railway enthusiasts, Modelfair is an online shop specialising in new, pre-owned and collectable model railways. http://www.modelfair.com for friendly and reliable service.
For Hornby and spares for Hornby, Electrotren, Lima (HO), Jouef and Rivarossi visit www.hornbyspares.co.uk
You too could advertise here. E-mail us
at Pat@mremag.com for details.