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Updated: 26 April 2017

Mostyn's Parcels Trains

One of the features now absent from the railway scene is parcels traffic; back in 1977 BR had a significant market share of this traffic and competed with the service offered by the General Post Office. Both organisations therefore made extensive use of parcels trains.

Moving this quantity of merchandise required a quantity of vans such that older vehicles often remained in service, the parcels fleet therefore included a wide variety of designs, some originating from the pre-nationalisation companies.

We have tried to replicate this in 4mm:1ft and now operate a number of parcels formations with what we feel are representative vehicle types that were in use in 1977. We have added to this stock over time and as always will continue to add stock in the future. The listing that follows is therefore a 'snap-shot' of our parcel trains as they were formed in February 2017 at Model Rail Scotland, Glasgow.

47480 hauling an Up Parcels past Mostyn Signal box. Visible behind the locomotive are Mk1 GUVs, GWR Siphon G & Mk1 BG. There was obviously an excess of ETH fitted locos on this day as 47/4s would usually be reserved for passenger duties.

Parcels Train Formations

Prototype:

4D03 MX 08.05 Chester - Holyhead Down Parcels
Currently rostered for 40 088 (24 Feb 2017)

Type	TOPS code	Number series	Number	Diag.	Lot no.	Notes	Model base
GUV	NJV	BR	W86748	B.R.811	30565		L
BG	NFV	LMS	M30999	D 2007	1097		M
BG	NAV	GWR	W315	K45	1740	Hawksworth design, BR-built	H
CCT	NOV	BR	M94443	B.R.816	30562		MM
PMV	NQV	SR	S1327S	3103	A1031		PD
BG	NEV	BR	M81625	B.R.711	30725	100mph (BR Mk II Light DB bogies)	B
B	NFV	LMS	M31076	D 2007	1261		M
SIPHON G	NMV	GWR	W1042	O.62	1768	BR-built	L
B	NFV	LMS	M31366M	D 2171	1508		M
B	NFV	LMS	M31214	D 2007	1357		M
BG	NEV	BR	M80878	B.R.711	30162		B
PMV	NQV	SR	S1106S	3103	A855		PD
PMV	NQV	SR	S1323S	3103	A1031		PD
GUV	NJV	BR	M86969	B.R.811	30616	Electric wired	L
GUV	NKV	BR	M86117	B.R.811	30417		L

Here at the end of a Down parcels is BR CCT no. E94660. This is model is from the excellent Masterclass Models kit by Chris Higgs.

Prototype:

4H07 SO 11.44 Holyhead - Manchester Mayfield Up Parcels
Currently rostered for 47 447 + 47 166 (24 Feb 2017)

Type	TOPS code	Number series	Number	Diag.	Lot no.	Notes	Model base
GUV	NKV	BR	E86573	B.R.811	30402		L
SIPHON G	NMV	GWR	W2800W	O.59	1578		L
GUV	NKV	BR	W86594	B.R.811	30402		L
B	NFV	GWR	W291W	K45	1722	Hawksworth design, BR-built	H
SIPHON G	NMV	GWR	W1025	O.62	1751	BR-built	L
CCT	NOV	BR	M94883	B.R.816	30614		MM
PMV	NQV	SR	S1284S	3103	A1031		PD
B	NFV	LMS	M31164	D 2007	1305		M
CCT	NOV	LMS	B37306	D 2026	1636	Ex-Motor Car Van	H
Fruit D	-	GWR	W3478	?	1780	BR-Built	PD
Fruit D	-	BR	W92110W	805	30383	GWR-design	PD
CCT	NOV	SR	S1765	3101	A972	Planked sides	PD
BG	NFV	LMS	M31374	D 2171	1563		M
CCT	NOV	LNER	E1301	?	?	4-wheeled	PD
BY	NHV	SR	S931S	3092	1090	4-wheeled	PD
PMV	NQV	SR	S1282S	3103	A1031		PD

A GWR-design Siphon G no. W2800W at the end of an Up Parcels. This is a much-modified Lima model with new bogies, buffers, gangways, shell vents, buffers, underframe gubbins, etc…

Prototype:

4D03 MO 08.05 Chester - Holyhead Down DPU Parcels

Type	TOPS code	Number series	Number	Diag.	Lot no.	Notes	Model base
DMLV	128	BR	M55989	B.R.644	30552	Class 128	SF
DMLV	128	BR	M55993	B.R.643	30551	Class 128	SF
CCT	NOV	LMS	M37027M	D 2026	1154	Ex-Motor Car Van	H
CCT	NOV	BR	M94112	B.R.816	30549		MM
BG	NDV	BR	M81291	B.R.711	30323		B

This is a GWR-designed Fruit D (no. DW150432). Builds of the Fruit D design lasted well beyond nationalisation, some even being built to BR lot nos. as late as 1959. Mostyn's Fruit Ds are based on the Parkside Dundas kit.

Prototype:

1D00 01.25 Manchester Victoria - Bangor Down Newspapers
Currently rostered for 47 351 (24 Feb 2017)

Type	TOPS code	Number series	Number	Diag.	Lot no.	Notes	Model base
BG	NCV	BR	M80560	B.R.711	30039		B
BG	NCV	BR	E80826	B.R.711	30144		B
BG	NCV	BR	M81417	B.R.711	30400		B
BG	NCV	BR	M80947	B.R.711	30162		B
BG	NDV	BR	M81477	B.R.711	30400	High Security Vehicle	B

Although BR-built, a design from the LNER is also represented by E1328. This is one of a number of extra-long CCTs being some 37ft. 6in. in length. The model is based on the Parkside kit and is finished to the state shown in the photograph on Paul Bartlett's zenfolio website.

Prototype:

17.55 Bangor - Crewe Up Parcels
Currently rostered for 40 134 (24 Feb 2017)

Type	TOPS code	Number series	Number	Diag.	Lot no.	Notes	Model base
CCT	NOV	SR	S1741S	3101	A972	Planked sides	PD
PMV	NQV	SR	S1358S	3103	A1031		PD
CCT	NOV	BR	M94219	B.R.816	30549		MM
CCT	NOV	BR	E94639	B.R.816	30564		MM
CCT	NOV	LMS	M37222	D 2026	1770 #	Ex-Motor Car Van	H
CCT	NOV	SR	S2536	3101	L3674	Ply sides	PD
BY	NHV	SR	S769S	3092	1030	4-wheeled	PD
CCT	NPV	BR	M94411	B.R.816	30562		MM
CCT	NOV	SR	S1739	3101	A972	Planked sides	PD
Fruit D	-	BR	W92069	805	30383	GWR-design	PD
CCT	NOV	LNER	E1328	?	1223	BR-built (Diag. Y006?)	PD
PMV	NQV	SR	S1307S	3103	A1031		PD

# - GW not LMS Series Lot numbers

BR Type 2 no. 24047 hauls a short parcels rake through Mostyn, comprising of BR CCT, LNER design CCT and 2x SR design PMVs.

Prototype:

4J16 MSX 11.55 Holyhead - Bolton Up Parcels
Currently rostered for 40 182 (24 Feb 2017)

Type	TOPS code	Number series	Number	Diag.	Lot no.	Notes	Model base
GUV	NKV	BR	M86928	B.R.811	30616		L
GUV	NKV	BR	M86809	B.R.811	30565		L
SIPHON G	NMV	GWR	W2977W	M.34	2664		L
B	NFV	GWR	W330	K46	1752	Hawksworth design, BR-built	H
GUV	NIV	LMS	M37929M	D 1870	1050		L
BG	NFV	LMS	M31389M	D 2171	1563		M
GUV	NIV	LMS	M37911M	D 1870	1050		L
BG	NFV	LMS	M31060	D 2007	1261		M
CCT	NPV	BR	W94671	B.R.816	30564		MM
BG	NFV	LMS	M31340	D 2007	1444		M
CCT	NPV	BR	W94444	B.R.816	30562		MM
CCT	NOV	LMS	M37033M	D 2026	1154	Ex-Motor Car Van	H
CCT	NOV	BR	M94277	B.R.816	30549		MM
CCT	NOV	BR	E94660	B.R.816	30564		MM
BG	NAV	BR	E80617	711	30046		B
BY	NHV	SR	S950S	3092	1090	4-wheeled	PD
CCT	NOV	LMS	M37303M	D 2026	1636	Ex-Motor Car Van	H
GUV	NKV	BR	M86966	B.R.811	30616		L
BG	NFV	LMS	M31054M	D 2007	1260		M
B	NFV	LMS	M30966	D 2007	1096		M
BG	NFV	LMS	M31010	D 2007	1097		M
GUV	NIV	SR	S4600	3182	3228	Bogie Scenery Van	CK

Here we have two ex-LMS design 6-wheel fish vans. After revenue use these have ended up as stores vans in the departmental fleet. These models to LMS diagram 2115 are adapted from the Chivers Finelines Kit.

Other Mostyn Parcels Stock

In addition to dedicated parcels trains, when items needed to be moved speedily they could be conveyed on regular passenger trains for which an area was secured for this use, so van areas or whole coaches were always present within a train. Also, until comparatively recently Royal Mail had the right to convey mail on any train for which a secure area had to be provided.

Even after withdrawal from revenue use, some vehicles continued in use for a while as part of the departmental fleet; we have several of these on Mostyn.

The following list shows those vehicles that are formed in passenger trains or are in Mostyn’s departmental fleet.

Type	Number series	Number	Diag.	Lot no.	Notes	Model base
Stores van	(LMS)	ADM40261	2115	1445	ex-LMS Fish van – runs in stores train	CF
Stores van	(LMS)	ADM40279	2115	1445	ex-LMS Fish van – runs in stores train	CF
SPV (NRV)	BR	E87209	B.R.800	30125	ex Fish Van - buffer store	PD
Class 128 DMLV	BR	M55995	B.R.643	30551	Runs in passenger DMU consist	SF
BG (NEA)	BR	M81088	B.R.711	30228	Runs in HDD-EUS Mk2 AB rake	B
BG (NEV)	BR	M81393	B.R.711	30400	Runs in EUS-HDD Mk2 VB rake	B
BG (NEV)	BR	M81440	B.R.711	30400	Runs in EUS-HDD Mk2 VB rake	B
BG (NEA)	BR	M81500	B.R.711	30484	Orphan	B
BG (NEA)	BR	M81591	B.R.711	30715	Runs in HDD-EUS Mk2 AB rake	B
BG (NEV)	BR	M81624	B.R.711	30725	Runs in EUS-HDD Mk2 VB rake	B

Also from an LMS design is this pair of CCTs nos M37033M and M37303. Both to LMS diagram D 2026, these were originally intended for carrying motor cars. The models have been adapted from the Hornby R-T-R offering.

Key:

TOPS codes used in Mostyn Fleet:

TOPS code	Type	Details	Designs
NAV	Gangwayed Brake (BG)	VB SH	GWR Hawksworth / BR (Mk1)
NCV	Gangwayed Brake (BG)	Newspaper Van	BR (Mk1)
NDV	Gangwayed Brake (BG)	Dual-heated	BR (Mk1)
NEA	Gangwayed Brake (BG)	100 mph AB	BR (Mk1)
NEV	Gangwayed Brake (BG)	100 mph VB	BR (Mk1)
NFV	Gangwayed Brake (BG) / Brake (B)		LMS / GWR Hawksworth
NHV	Four-wheeled Brake (BY)		SR
NIV	General Utility Van (GUV)		LMS / SR
NJV	General Utility Van (GUV)	electric wired	BR (Mk1)
NKV	General Utility Van (GUV)	Brute circuit	BR (Mk1)
NMV	Gangwayed Milk Van (Siphon G)		GWR
NOV	Covered Carriage Truck (CCT)		BR / LMS / SR / LNER
NPV	Covered Carriage Truck (CCT)	Brute circuit	BR
NQV	Parcels and Miscellaneous Van (PMV)		SR
NRV	Sundries and Parcels Van (SPV)		BR
128	Driving Motor Luggage Van (DMLV)		BR
-	Fruit D		GWR

Model base (RTR and model kit suppliers):

B =	Bachmann	M =	Mainline
CK =	CRT Kits	MM =	Masterclass Models
CF =	Chivers Finelines	PD =	Parkside Dundas
H =	Hornby	SF =	Silver Fox Models body + Lima underframe
L =	Lima