Bachmann 30T BDA Bogie Bolster Wagons
British Railways built a large number of bogie bolster wagons between 1949 and 1962.
The 52ft long version was originally known as a 'Bogie Bolster D'. Following the move to
air braked trains, after 1964, 1,250 of these were rebuilt to become BDA bogie bolster
wagons under TOPS, the first vehicle being converted at Swindon in 1975. BDAs were used
for the conveyance of mainly metal products such as steel rods but, with the decline of
that traffic, those remaining are used in departmental service, mainly for carrying rail
to and from work sites. 388 BDA wagons remained in service on the national network in
2008.
The Bachmann model was introduced in 2008 and is fitted with diamond bogies. So far 8 versions of it have been catalogued, the two illustrated here in Railfreight red being No.951163 (38-151A) and No.950991 with a girder load (38-159).