Oxford Diecast OR76WW001B OO Gauge Ministry of War Warwell 50-Ton Well Wagon ww50
A detailed model of the depressed centre Warwell wagons built during WW2 to carry tanks and other military vehicles between the factories and west coast importing ports to the embarkation ports along the south coast for shipment to France. The depressed centre well was needed to keep the vehicles inside the restricted British loading gauge, but the wagons were built with sloping end ramps and bridge plates so vehicles could be driven along the length of a train for rapid loading and unloading.
Following the invasion many of these wagons were transferred to France to keep the advancing front line supplied with replacement armoured vehicles, which would often have a low maximum road speed.
This model is finished as a wagon on loan from the War Department to the Great Western during and following the build-up to Operation Overload.