Birmingham New Street Station: lnwrbns_str413a

Close up of the parcels dock and carriage landing showing two ventilated vans used for milk transportation and a standard van used for perishables. The ducket on the side of the ventilated van, used by the guard to look down the train, is of interest as this implies the van could have been attached to passengers services and used as a guards van. This view is further supported as there appears to be an oil lamp on top of the ducket in the manner seen in image 'lnwrbns_str402a'. Perishables and in particular milk traffic were frequently carried by passenger train as their value was very much related to the freshness of the goods. Vans would be attached to the rear of a train and would be designed for high speed running. This meant that when continuous braking was introduced such vehicles had to comply to the same specification as passenger vehicles.

In August 1877 the Board of Trade urged the railway companies to united and harmonious action, and stated the requirements which in their opinion were essential in a good continuous brake; it should be—efficient in stopping trains; instantaneous in action and easily applied by engine-drivers or guards; in case of accident instantaneously self-acting; capable of being put on or taken off with facility, on the engine, tender, and every vehicle of a train; regularly used in daily working; and the materials employed easily maintained and kept in order. At 31st December 1878 only 21 per cent. of the total carriage stock was fitted with brakes of some form, of which 12·8 per cent. were automatic; whilst at 30th June 1884 of the total carriage stock 76 per cent. was fitted with continuous brakes, of which 58 per cent were automatic.

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