HO Scale

Era: 1955 - 1961

Product Code: SE-R10
Scale/Gauge: HO Scale
Unit: Kit

Product Description

The Steam Era Models SE-R10 UP Bogie Louvered Van Kit represents the distinctive Victorian Railways UP (formerly UB) bogie luggage van, rebuilt from the earlier six-wheel U vans during the 1930s.

As part of a program to fit automatic couplers, many U vans were converted to four-wheel underframes. However, to retain luggage van capacity for passenger trains, sixty vans were rebuilt onto bogie underframes using 6'0" wheelbase swing-motion diamond frame bogies, becoming the UB class. Lamp irons were fitted to the corners and headstocks, with louvres locally flattened to accommodate them.

In 1949, ride quality issues with diamond frame bogies resulted in a speed restriction of 40mph, effectively limiting UB vans to goods service. To restore passenger capability, eight vans were fitted with TT30 bogies in 1955/56, along with folding locomotive-style tail discs. These were reclassified UP, marked with a large “P” and painted in Passenger Car Red in 1958/59.

With the arrival of larger VP vans, the UP vans were returned to freight bogies in 1960/61, reverting to UB classification, and were largely withdrawn by the mid-to-late 1970s.

This kit features wide doors and a corrugated roof, representing vans numbered 1–41, 43, 44, and 50.

A more detailed history of the class can be found in the October 2000 Australian Model Railway Magazine.

Kit Features

• HO scale Victorian Railways UP bogie louvre van

• Represents vans 1–41, 43, 44 & 50

• Wide door configuration

• Corrugated roof

• Designed for experienced modellers

• Ideal for steam and early diesel era layouts

*Models illustrated have been fitted with couplers (not included).

A great addition for VR steam and early diesel era HO layouts, especially for modellers recreating mixed passenger and goods operations of the 1950s.