LMS Insulated Meat Van

This vehicle is believed to be a rare survivor of a small fleet of wagons built by LMS to carry meat around the network. It was designed with a tank that could be filled with ice that would slowly melt during its journey, keeping meat fresh as it was transported. Our wagon’s history is currently not well known, with the trail starting in 1978 when it was bought by a Bristol Suburban Railway Society Member. The wagon arrived at Bitton on Saturday 20th May 1978 as part of a group of three insulated vans that had been bought by differing members/organisations from the Port of Bristol Authority at Avonmouth Docks. These other vehicles being an unnumbered LNER refrigerated van, and a GWR Mica refrigerated van No 105916 (PBA No. 10). Both vehicles moving away from the railway over the years – whilst the LMS wagon has remained.

The wagon was built in 1926 by Wolverton Works for the LMS. At some point it was transferred into the ownership of the Port of Bristol Authority (PBA), from whom it was purchased. The vehicle arrived without any numerical markings or cast plates on the solebar to identify its running number. The only surviving plate being the “Built at Wolverton, 1926” plate.  

Should anyone reading this have any information relating to the actual number of this vehicle, please do get in touch via the Contact Us page.