20 ton Coal Hopper NER Profile and Models

Having been influenced by witnessing coal haulage operations in the United States, where tradition did not hinder working practices and facilities, the Board of the NER decided to improve the ratio between capacity and tare weight of their waggons by building larger capacity rolling stock. Cramped rail layouts in collieries and the height of loading screens meant that they had to standardise on a wooden bodied 20t to 23t 4-wheel hopper design. A huge number of these wagons were produced from 1902 onwards, with various diagrams produced with variations to cover different requirements. These wagons were pivotal in the history of industry in the North East and bridged the gap between early Victorian designs and later steel-bodied wagons. Many examples lasted right through into usage with BR and in industrial service with the NCB.

(Information provided via Accurascale)

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Surviving Examples