R8 B Closed Van
The design of the Victorian Railways B van combined elements of the BP bogie van with the underframe from a 22 VIA open wagon. Newport workshops completed a sample, B1, in December 1957, with series production of wagons 2-380 taking place at Bendigo North from September 1958 to June 1961. From this period until the early 1980s the Bbox vans were a familiar inclusion in most VR goods trains. Most were retired in the period from 1978 through to 1980 and were sold for scrap, although the bodies of many live on as sheds on farms or light industries. A small number were transferred to departmental stock as HD vans.
This kit represents a series production van; the prototype B1 differed in that the ends were plain and did not feature the pressed ribs common to the rest of the fleet.
*Model illustrated has been fitted with shunter's steps, handbrake and couplers (not included).