Summary

Here are files to produce a Southern Railway Plastic Bodied Luggage van (PMV). The files are drawn full size so scale to suit your modelling needs.

10 of these unusual vans were built in 1944 to a Bulleid design. They utilised a glass reinforced plastic shell on a welded steel frame sitting on a novel skeletal chassis. As a result they were 3 tons lighter than a similar capacity van built in a traditional manner. Using less materials such as timber and steel was vital at this time of the war. The underframe also allowed the body to slide longitudinally with a spring damping arrangement that reduced buffing shocks being transmitted to the less substantial bodywork, Hence the underframe is longer than the body.

As built they had recessed doors and originally had a black fibreglass finish so did not require painting/repainting. They were however repainted in Southern Region green later in their lives. They were numbered 1401-1410 and later in BR days as S1401S -S1410S.

Most were withdrawn in the 1960s. One lasted until 1972 and had replacement flush sided doors by this time. I have drawn examples of the original recessed and the flush door versions. Buffers shall have to be sourced elsewhere (e.g. see my other designs) and underframe detail needs to be added as appropriate.

This print is a truly collaborative project, being suggested by Tim Shackleton, who has built the example photographed for the Thumbnail image. John Isherwood of Cambridge Custom Transfers produces transfers (Sheet BL97) that contains markings suitable for these vans in British Railways days.

Enjoy

Jonny