Photo:
Robert Frise - Tube Wagon in Down Yard in bauxite livery

Photo:
Robert Frise - Tube Wagon in "as delivered" condition

A tube wagon, like B731708, is a long wheelbase wagon with steel ends and low wooden sides. 450 were built to this lot, with a total of 2350 built to this diagram. It is on roller bearing axles and is 22 tons. This wagon was withdrawn by British Rail from Bescot in December 1988.

It was fitted with seats and was used to give rides on certain open days Over the last few years it has carried Santa's sleigh and reindeer for Christmas Steamings. During 2002 it has been refurbished for "fourth class" passenger seating in the Down Yard. In 2013 it was repainted into a pseudo Metropolitan Railway livery to appear in the Metropolitan Railway 150 celebrations.

Photo:
Robert Frise - Tube Wagon in Down Yard in "MET" grey livery - May 2015