6 wheel tank Profile and Models

SR Diagram 3152 milk tank at Didcot Railway Centre in April 2019. © Hugh Llewelyn

Bulk milk transportation started in 1931 with the introduction of the 4-wheeled milk tanker. To overcome poor running issues with these early wagons, the 6 wheel milk tanker was developed for United and Express Dairies. These wagons proved very successful and over 630 6- wheeled milk tankers were built between 1932 and 1948 and used nationally. Eventually, most of the bulk milk transportation was moved over to road tankers and by the 1980’s these rail vehicles had become redundant. Unusually, the barrels of the wagons were owned by the milk companies whilst the frames were owned by railway companies.
Type of Vehicle	Tank Wagon
Builder	Various (Tanks owned by dairies & chassis by railway companies)
Build Dates	1932 to 1948
Total Built	632
Wheel Configuration	6-wheel
Operated By	Great Western Railway London Midland & Scottish Railway London & North Eastern Railway Southern Railway British Railways
Main Duties	Milk Transport
In Service Until	1960s/ 1970s
Surviving Examples	Several in preservation