Dapol/1E Promotionals Wagon Pair

This pair of wagons from 1E Promotionals includes an 8-plank in the red-brown livery of Letchworth Electricity Works (WD5) and a 7-plank wagon in the red-brown of paper maker Thomas & Green Ltd of Soho Mills, Wooburn, Buckinghamshire (BY10).

The Letchworth wagon model is based on a real wagon built in 1936 and one of 30 12 ton 8-plank wagons ordered that year from Gloucester RC&WCo. These had side and end doors and were used for carrying coal from the Oxcroft No.1 Colliery, Barrow Hill, to the power station. The mine was accessed via the LMS but the wagons were registered with the LNER. The small writing in the lower right-hand corner says "First Garden City Limited, Letchworth."

The Thomas & Green paper mills existed along the Thames Valley between Maidenhead and Reading. The Soho Mill was on the GWR branch between High Wycombe and Bourne End. The company specialised in high quality paper and had its own siding. Wagon No.10, like the above model, was purchased from Gloucester RC&WCo. but was built in 1916.