Slaters Plastikard O Gauge 7041W Prince of Wales Colliery Charles Roberts 7 Plank End Door Wagon Kit
A detailed model kit building a RCH 1907 standard design open wagon with 7 plank height sides, side and end doors finished in the livery of the Prince of Wales Collierie at Pontefract, owned by John Rhodes Ltd.
This kit replicates the details of 124 wagons built by the Charles Roberts company ordered in two batches. 64 wagons numbered 550 - 613 were ordered in March 1906, followed by a further 60 wagons numbered 614 - 629 and 654 - 707 in October.
Supplied with metal wheels, 3 link couplings and sprung buffers.
This 7 plank design was introduced in 1907 during a period when the grand 'billboard' lettering of private owner wagons was popular and this design continued to be built into mid 1920s when wagons to the new 1923 specifications became the builders standard products.
The top plank(s) of the 6 and 7 plank wagons were usually continuous, providing added strength to the body, though sometimes a top flap door was fitted. Wagons equipped with an end door were favoured by collieries, coal factors (dealers), exporters and large coal consumers (eg. heavy industry and gas companies) as these wagons could be emptied quickly by tipping the coal through the end. Side and bottom doors were also normally fitted so the wagons could easily be used for manual or hopper unloading.