Bachmann 5-plank China Clays
The model was based on real 13T china clay open wagons and the hoods are made of
stitched light blue canvas and kept in shape by a removable moulded plastic frame. The
hoods are light blue and carry the English China Clay's logo. The models correctly have a
9ft wheelbase, as a larger one would not fit the turntable at the docks where the wagons
were unloaded into ships.
The wagons were of a standard GWR design dating back to 1913 and BR made batches of them every year between 1954 and 1960. Wood had to be used in the construction to avoid rust contaminating the load. Since its introduction in 1991, Bachmann have made many versions of it, both with and without the hood. The two most recent are open BR grey W92810 (33-079B) and hooded and weathered BR brown B743595 (33-080C).