Diesel Brake Tender B964040E, BR green – HM-DBT-017

Diesel Brake Tenders were introduced in the early 1960s to increase the brake force available to unfitted goods trains hauled by new diesel locomotives. There were several versions of the Brake Tender with Key Publishing’s model representing the Diagram 1/555 vehicles built at York between 1962-1965 and fitted with Gresley bogies. In total 122 Diesel Brake Tenders were built, numbered B964000-B964121, with the last being withdrawn in the early 1980s. All were scrapped, but a replica has been built by the Railway Vehicle Preservations at the Great Central Railway.

This example models B964040E in original BR green livery with early bodyside markings. The brake tender was built at York Works in 1962 as part of Lot 3448. Product highlights include removable lamps at each end of the brake tender, NEM coupling pockets fitted with small tension lock couplings, turned metal wheels and two designs of handbrake wheel to match the real vehicle.