VEA vanwide van Profile and Models

VEA vanwide van

230038 at Duddeston in March 1983. ©Steve Jones

British Rail built a large number of Vanwide wagons in response to high demand from various customers. They featured plywood sides with flush doors that slid to alleviate the problem of confined locations. The door opening method made a door aperture of 9ft possible which aided the loading of pallets by forklift truck. It was this wide opening that gave rise to their nickname. From 1977, 550 Vanwides were converted to VEA vans - they were refurbished and fitted with airbrakes to suit customers who could not handle the longer wheelbase of modern wagon designs. They were used on Speedlink trains as well as military specials. A decline in requirement led to most of these wagons being withdrawn in the Early 1990s. Some survived a little longer for internal use at Army bases and a number have also been preserved.

(Information provided by Dapol)

Type of Vehicle

4-wheel Covered Van

Builder

BR Wolverton Works
BR Derby Works

Build Dates

1961 to 1962
(550 converted to VEAs from 1977)

Total Built

Around 2000

Wheel Configuration

4 Wheels

Operated By

British Rail

Main Duties

Palletised freight & Munitions

In Service Until

Early 1990s

Surviving Examples

Several in Preservation

 

Products awaiting categorisation

Scale Brand Image Construction Type DCC Capability Product Code Product Title Livery
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Parkside Models PC41 12-ton BR 'Vanwide' van - Dia 1/217 - plastic kit Requires assembly Not set PC41
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12-ton BR 'Vanwide' van - Dia 1/217 - plastic kit Awaiting Categorisation
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Parkside Models PC76 12-ton BR VEA 'Vanwide' van - plastic kit Not set Not set PC76
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12-ton BR VEA 'Vanwide' van - plastic kit Awaiting Categorisation
N Gauge Peco Products NR-2008XM 12-ton box van 'Vanfit' in "Santa's Workshop  Christmas 2023" red and green RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Unpowered NR-2008XM
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12-ton box van 'Vanfit' in "Santa's Workshop Christmas 2023" red and green Awaiting Categorisation
N Gauge Peco Products NR-42R VEA box van in BR Railfreight red stripe livery 230307 RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set NR-42R
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VEA box van in BR Railfreight red stripe livery 230307 Railfreight grey (inc. Red Stripe)
N Gauge Peco Products NR-P909 VEA Van Silcox RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set NR-P909
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VEA Van Silcox Private Owner
O Gauge (1:43 Scale) M&M Models MM12Vanwide BR 12T Vanwide Wagon Kit Requires assembly Not set MM12Vanwide
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BR 12T Vanwide Wagon Kit Awaiting Categorisation
O Gauge (1:43 Scale) SkyTrex No image available Not set Not set SMR48
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Standard 12 Ton Vent Van Wide Unpainted