6 wheel tank Profile and Models

6 wheel tank

SR Diagram 3152 milk tank at Didcot Railway Centre in April 2019. © Hugh Llewelyn

Bulk milk transportation started in 1931 with the introduction of the 4-wheeled milk tanker. To overcome poor running issues with these early wagons, the 6 wheel milk tanker was developed for United and Express Dairies. These wagons proved very successful and over 630 6- wheeled milk tankers were built between 1932 and 1948 and used nationally. Eventually, most of the bulk milk transportation was moved over to road tankers and by the 1980’s these rail vehicles had become redundant. Unusually, the barrels of the wagons were owned by the milk companies whilst the frames were owned by railway companies.

Type of Vehicle

Tank Wagon

Builder

Various
(Tanks owned by dairies & chassis by railway companies)

Build Dates

1932 to 1948

Total Built

632

Wheel Configuration

6-wheel

Operated By

Great Western Railway
London Midland & Scottish Railway
London & North Eastern Railway
Southern Railway
British Railways

Main Duties

Milk Transport

In Service Until

1960s/ 1970s

Surviving Examples

Several 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) Dapol 4D-HENDOS-TANK 6 wheel tank wagon "Hendersons Relish" - Limited Edition for Rails of Sheffield RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Unpowered 4D-HENDOS-TANK
View
6 wheel tank wagon "Hendersons Relish" - Limited Edition for Rails of Sheffield
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Dapol 4F-031-130 6-wheel milk tanker "Co-op" - 167 - weathered RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Unpowered 4F-031-130
View
6-wheel milk tanker "Co-op" - 167 - weathered Awaiting Categorisation
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Dapol 4F-031-131 6-wheel milk tanker "United Creameries" - 70347 RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Unpowered 4F-031-131
View
6-wheel milk tanker "United Creameries" - 70347 Awaiting Categorisation
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Dapol 4F-031-132 6-wheel milk tanker "United Creameries" - 70347 - weathered RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Unpowered 4F-031-132
View
6-wheel milk tanker "United Creameries" - 70347 - weathered Awaiting Categorisation
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Dapol 4F-031-firstswiss 6-wheel milk tanker "First Swiss Alpine Milk Exporting Company" - Limited Edition for Burnham & District MRC RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Unpowered 4F-031-firstswiss
View
6-wheel milk tanker "First Swiss Alpine Milk Exporting Company" - Limited Edition for Burnham & District MRC
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Jidenco No image available Requires assembly Not set GWR7-Jidenco
View
GWR Duplex Milk Tank Wagon Etched Brass Kit (wheels required) Awaiting Categorisation