Iron Mink Sand Vans
 

Hi folks,

I notice the GWR had a number of Iron Mink Sand Vans. Any reason why they would use an Iron Mink and not just an ordinary wagon? And what would be the significance of a large white cross on one of the doors?

Regards,

Alex

Hi,

I received the info I was looking for on the RMwebsite. Thanks.

Alex

You mean you have managed to get onto RMweb over the last couple of days. They are doing work on it. I have failed to log in for about 3 days!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Hi John,

It's been fine when I've tried over the past few days. It states that they have suspended the upgrade for the moment.

Alex

Well I will admit my ignorance and say an "iron mink" was something I'd never heard of.

So for anyone else in the same position see this.

http://www.swindonviewpoint.com/cont...-iron-mink-van

http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.u...152pic_02.html

Could it have been dry sand for use on the railways for adhesion purposes. I guess the Iron Mink would be the most waterproof wagon available on the GWR. I know the Iron Minks were used mainly for moving explosives - could that be the significance of the white cross?

I have a vague memory of Iron Minks still being used for gunpowder traffic to and from Penrhyndeudraeth on the Cambrian Coast line in the mid-1970s.

[QUOTE=Shimbleshanks;52527]Could it have been dry sand for use on the railways for adhesion purposes. I guess the Iron Mink would be the most waterproof wagon available on the GWR. I know the Iron Minks were used mainly for moving explosives - could that be the significance of the white cross?

G W gunpowder vans were black with a large RED cross, I don't have any idea what the white cross signified