NER Snowplough No.12 - NER Brown Deposit

Never before seen in OO-Gauge ready-to-run, the NER Snowplough is an exciting addition to our Exclusive range of model rolling stock. Brought to life in miniature by Bachmann Europe, meticulous care and attention was taken to produce an accurate and true to life example of this unique piece of North Eastern history.

Model Features:
- Metal detailing parts.
- Painted and detailed crew compartment interior.
- Separate accessories.
- Precision moulded body shell.
- Historically accurate running markings.

The first NER snowplough was built in 1887 and, despite an accident in 1888 where a plough train upended a locomotive at Annitsford, 23 more were made. All 24 were made of wood except the final two, which were metal. Built on an old locomotive tender frame, this wooden giant was the North Eastern Railway's (NER) answer to the threat of snow blocking its lines. As today, parts of the railway were isolated and exposed, and snow on the line presented a serious hazard to vehicles and passengers. During and after inclement weather the snowplough would be pushed by two steam engines and when it came across a snowdrift it would charge straight through, clearing the rails for traffic.

No.12 is the oldest surviving NER Snowplough, and was constructed in Gateshead in 1891. Paired with plough No.11, No.12 originally had the NER wagon number 82515 before the entire fleet was renumbered numbers 1 to 16. At this time, the plough featured a white roof with unshaded lettering on its NER ‘Indian Red’ livery. Originally No.12 (along with No.11) was allocated to Percy Main, before moving to other areas.

Upon withdrawal, No.12 was saved for the National Collection and stored for some years before a full restoration under the National Railway Museum. No.12 can now be found residing in NEW HALL at Locomotion in Shildon.