Ale By Rail

So, from a previous abundance of trains at Gunnmere, to just one this time!

In this photograph we see North British (NBL) Type 1, later known as Class 16 under the TOPS classification system, at the head of our complete rake of Oakhill Brewery wagons that were commissioned by the Burnham & District Model Railway Club.

Eight Oakhill Brewery wagons were produced by the Club with two differently numbered tank wagons, two differently numbered ventilated vans and two differently numbered ale wagons. 

One Fruit 'D' van was also produced, of which we have two, plus a Grain Hopper wagon and the hope is to add one more of the Hoppers but these are increasingly hard to find now.

The Class 16 is by Heljan, of course, and is Nº D8407, Catalogue Nº 1603 and is, I believe, a Limited Edition of only 750 models. 

It has been fitted with a sound decoder using the Howes sound files and, unlike its big sisters, does seem to perform quite well.