As part of the 1955 modernisation plan British Railways built a series of mineral wagons with clasp vacuum brakes. To distinguish them from the unfitted grey mineral wagons these were painted into a bauxite colour. Once the TOPS computer rolling stock management system was brought in during theĀ 1970s these wagons were coded MCV, and it is for this period which this model represents.
The new tooling provides a step up on detail with crisply moulded parts, thinner walls to the body, correct 9 foot wheelbase, NEM plug-in couplings and metal-tyred wheels for free running.