London Transport ‘Herring’ Ballast Hopper Wagons

The SVR is home to three ex-London Underground 20 ton steel Ballast Hopper Wagons. The design of these originated with the 1902 GWR Diagram P6 20 ton Ballast Hopper and later 1945 GWR/BR Diagram P22 Ballast Hopper. These were not given a telegraphic code by the GWR, but were given the type name 'Herring' by BR. The London Underground examples include 'foldback' buffers to allow use with L.T. electric loco stock.

The SVR’s wagons are numbered as follows:

Number	Built	Built by	Wagon Survey	Notes
HW 410	1938	GRCW	Link
HW 410	1938	GRCW	Link
HW 436	1965	BR Shildon	Link

Contents

Service

The two early examples were originally ordered by the London Passenger Transport Board in 1936 for use on planned extension works on London Underground such as the extension of the Northern Line to Potters Bar. These works were cancelled in 1938 due to the impending war. The third example was not built until the mid-1960s.

Preservation

The three ballast hoppers were acquired by SVR(H) in early 1984 and were initially intended for use in completing the extension to Kidderminster. Delays in receiving the LRO meant they were marooned in a goods yard at Shirebrook in Derbyshire, only arriving on the morning of 23 July 1984, the Monday of the final week before opening. They were immediately brought into use, greatly speeding up the final ballasting, lifting packing and slueing which was required at Kidderminster.

The wagons see regular use on Permanent Way duties on the railway, and are normally stabled along the line, often at Eardington. The SVR also has a number of other larger ballast hoppers, including three 24 ton BR 'Dogfish' Ballast Hopper Wagons and six 40 ton BR 'Seacow' 40t Ballast Hoppers.

Gallery

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  HW 410

• 

  HW 411

• 

  HW 436

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  Ballast hoppers in an engineers train

See also

• List of goods wagons