Warwell military flat Profile and Models

Warwell military flat

'Warwell' MODA95537. © Paul Bartlett

The 50 ton 'Warwell' is a class of wagon introduced by the War Department / Ministry of Defence in 1942 for the purpose of transporting military vehicles, which became increasingly important towards the end of World War 2. As well as some wagons remaining in military use, the MoD sold several surplus wagons to the 'Big 4' operators. These passed into British Railways ownership at nationalisation in 1948 and a number were converted into steel carriers with bolsters. Other wagons became boiler carriers for use in BR's workshops and converted into specialist vehicles such as cranes. All of the BR vehicles were mostly withdrawn by the early 1980s, replaced with more modern designs. Some 'Warwells' were sold into industrial use and could be seen at Steel Mills across the UK into the early 2000s. The MoD's vehicles remained in military service, transporting tanks, jeeps and other vehicles between military bases across the UK.

Type of Vehicle

Well Wagon

Builder

Southern Railway Eastleigh Works
Gloucester Carriage & Wagon Co
Head Wrightson, Teesside

Build Dates

1942

Total Built

85

Wheel Configuration

Gloucester GPS or Diamond Frame bogies

Operated By

War Department
Ministry of Defence
British Rail
London, Midland & Scottish Railway
Great Western Railway
Southern Railway
Various industrial operators

Main Duties

Military vehicle transport
Steel transport, boiler carriers and infrastructure maintenance (following conversion)

In Service Until

Present

Surviving Examples

Several

 

Products awaiting categorisation

Scale Brand Image Construction Type DCC Capability Product Code Product Title Livery
N Gauge N Gauge Society No image available Requires assembly Not set NGSK0501
View
KWA Warwell (post 1976) in army green livery Awaiting Categorisation
N Gauge Parkwood PW-Warwellkit Warwell military bogie well wagon - plastic kit RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set PW-Warwellkit
View
Warwell military bogie well wagon - plastic kit Awaiting Categorisation