Stortford Railway

Open wagon (No 2) and Road Van (No 1) behind loco No 3, "Embling"





Wagon No. 1

As its number suggests, this wagon was the first to be built for the railway .  In fact, No. 1 was built before the railway was started, and before the house and garden in which it runs were bought in order to test the possibilities of 7¼ inch gauge.  The wagon was built on rubber road wheels and then, when some track had eventually been laid, it was transferred to the underframe at present used by Loco No. 3 before being given its present wheels.  The design is loosely based on that of a London and South-Western Railway road van.  These vans were used by the LSWR to accommodate a guard and to carry parcels and small goods at the same time, making them particularly useful and versatile vehicles.  No. 1 can be fitted with a ticket window in the manner of the Talyllyn Railway, or can be used with two seats for passengers.  In this latter rôle it sometimes has its doors removed.

Wagon No. 2

This wagon is based on countless narrow-gauge open wagons.  In its original form, No. 2 had a plywood body and was painted red.  In this form it deteriorated rapidly and so was rebuilt using substantial planks and steel strapping.  Its sides fold down for loading and unloading; they can also be removed completely.  The wheels fitted to No. 2 were the first to be made in Stortford; they were made from a wooden pattern, having been cast in aluminium in a local school workshop.  This is a useful wagon when heavy goods need to be moved about the garden or railway, but its function means that it is rarely used when the railway is open to passengers.  

Together

The two wagons together form a convincing narrow-gauge goods train; when they are coupled to locomotives Nos. 3 or 6 they make a splendid sight.



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