Shark ballast brake van Profile and Models

Shark ballast brake van

DB993922 at Duddeston in May 1985. Steve Jones

British Rail constructed over 200 'Shark' brake vans, based on an existing LMS design (which itself traced back to the Caledonian Railway). These ballast plough brakes featured manually operated ploughs at each end of the van, which would then be slowly propelled over freshly-laid ballast to level it off. These vehicles remained in engineering service for many years, and later in life received air-braking upgrades and other modifications to extend their lifespan. Some examples could still be seen in use as of the early 2000s.

Type of Vehicle

Ballast Brake Van

Builder

British Railways

Build Dates

Mid-1950s

Total Built

Over 200

Wheel Configuration

4-wheel

Operated By

British Railways
LoadHaul
Mainline Freight
EWS

Main Duties

Engineering Duties

In Service Until

Early 2000s

Surviving Examples

Some in preservation

 

O Gauge (1:43 Scale)

Products awaiting categorisation

Scale Brand Image Construction Type DCC Capability Product Code Product Title Livery
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Cambrian C14Cambrian BR Plough Brake van Shark 1956 kit Requires assembly Not set C14Cambrian
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BR Plough Brake van Shark 1956 kit Awaiting Categorisation