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Grampus Ballast and Sleeper Wagon DB 986591

This wagon is no longer on the Bluebell Railway

BR Grampus Wagon DB986591

Grampus DB986591, built in 1956. Richard Salmon

This is an example of a 20 ton drop side Ballast and Sleeper Wagon to diagram 1/572, designed by British Railways and codenamed 'Grampus'. 4,059 Grampus wagons were built to diagram 1/572 by six different builders. DB 986591 was one of 152 similar vehicles ordered under lot No. 2777 from the Butterley Engineering Company Ltd. in 1955. It was completed in 1956 with handbrake only, i.e. no power brake or through pipe.

DB 986591 was originally allocated to the Chief Civil Engineer (London Midland Region) and was based at Derby South. The vehicle type and regional allocation were originally denoted by cast plates on the left-hand door on each side, but these were usually broken if the door was damaged. The wagon was latterly allocated to the Western Region and was purchased from Reading Wagon Repair Depot in 1987.

Note the underslung racks (to securely carry the removable end planks when not required) at each end on this wagon. This wagon has now been fitted with a steel floor and a vacuum through pipe.

For the extraction of clay from the cutting to the south of the tip, a Turbot wagon was borrowed from the Lavender Line at Isfield, with this wagon going there in exchange. After the Turbot was returned, this wagon remained at Isfield, and is no longer considered as part of Bluebell stock, effectively being transferred to the Lavender Line in consideration for the use of the Turbot.

For more information about the Grampus wagons see this web page on DB 991391.

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