Slaters Plastikard OO 4043 LNER/NER Birdcage Brake Van

Model kit of a North Eastern Railway goods brake van with raised 'birdcage' lookout to allow the guard to observe signals.

Long goods trains were often controlled with brakes being apploed on just the locomotive and guards' brake van. To ensure trains stopped when required it was essential for the guard to watch out for adverse signals and apply his brake to both stop the train and prevent it from running backwards.