GWR 'Toad' brake van Profile and Models
68684 at Swindon in November 2008. ©Hugh Llewelyn
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The GWR Toad is a class of railway brake van, designed by and built for the Great Western Railway. Used by the GWR from 1894, and post-1947 by the Western Region of British Railways, its role was a safety brake on goods trains in the West of England, the Midlands and Wales. The nickname "Toad" was derived from the GWR's telegraphic code for a brake van, with each bespoke Toad model allocated diagrams in the AA series. The standard GWR brake van design dates from 1894, with many varieties were built between 1894 and the early 1950s. No longer in operational use on the mainline, a number have survived through preservation and on many heritage railways, owing to the design, which incorporates a long, open veranda and large enclosed cabin; this makes the Toad an ideal, cheap, and versatile passenger carriage. |
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|
Type of Vehicle |
Brake Van |
|
Builder |
GWR Swindon Works |
|
Build Dates |
1894 to 1950s |
|
Total Built |
1000s |
|
Wheel Configuration |
4-wheel |
|
Operated By |
Great Western Railway British Railways |
|
Main Duties |
Safety brake on Goods Trains |
|
In Service Until |
1970s |
|
Surviving Examples |
21 |
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)
GWR grey
LNER grey
SR brown
LMS grey
BR grey
BR bauxite
BR departmental olive
BR engineers yellow
Departmental grey
Virgin West Coast
Cotswold Rail
Freelance
Unpainted
Thomas the Tank Engine
(Fictitious) N Gauge
O Gauge (1:43 Scale)
HO Gauge (1:87 Scale)
TT3 Gauge (1:100 scale)
Products awaiting categorisation
| Scale | Brand | Image | Construction Type | DCC Capability | Product Code | Product Title | Livery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Connoisseur Models |
|
Requires assembly | Not set |
PMKOO27 View |
GWR Toad Brake Van - Etched Brass Kit | Unpainted |
| OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Parkside Models |
|
Requires assembly | Not set |
PC569 View |
GWR 20 ton 'Toad' brake van - plastic kit | Unpainted |
| OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Ratio |
|
Requires assembly | Not set |
569 View |
GWR 20 ton toad brake van - plastic kit - replaced by PC569 | Unpainted |
| OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Tri-ang |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
R124-BrakeGWR View |
GWR Toad Brake Van in BR bauxite - 57740 / W6297 | BR bauxite |
| N Gauge | Graham Farish |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
3105 View |
GWR 'Toad' brake van in BR grey - 114920 / 114926 | BR grey |
| O Gauge (1:43 Scale) | Parkside Models |
|
Requires assembly | Not set |
PS44 View |
GWR 20 ton Toad Brake Van Kit, diagram AA19 | Awaiting Categorisation |
| O Gauge (1:43 Scale) | Parkside Models |
|
Requires assembly | Not set |
PS601 View |
GWR 16t Toad brake van kit | Awaiting Categorisation |
| O Gauge (1:43 Scale) | Parkside Models |
|
Requires assembly | Not set |
PS602 View |
GWR permanent way brake van kit | Awaiting Categorisation |
| O Gauge (1:43 Scale) | Peco Products |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
W-601 View |
"GWR Toad, 16ton Brake Van" | Awaiting Categorisation |
| O Gauge (1:43 Scale) | Peco Products |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
W-602 View |
GWR Permanent Way Brake Van | GWR grey |
