CIE Bulleid Pallet Van - Grey (CIE roundel era) - Pack 3

CIE Bulleid Pallet Van - Grey (CIE roundel era) - Pack 3As palletised shipments became increasingly common, CI required wagons capable of handling this new type of freight. While bogie wagons suitable for sundries, bagged cement, and other traffic were already on the drawing board, an interim solution was needed. The result was the 12 ton Pallet Van, based on the standard triangulated wagon chassis. This development of the traditional van wagon featured offset sliding doors wide enough for pallet loading

As palletised shipments became increasingly common, CIÉ required wagons capable of handling this new type of freight. While bogie wagons suitable for sundries, bagged cement, and other traffic were already on the drawing board, an interim solution was needed. The result was the 12-ton Pallet Van, based on the standard triangulated wagon chassis. This development of the traditional van wagon featured offset sliding doors wide enough for pallet loading by forklift.

The Pallet Vans quickly spread throughout the network. Often seen alongside H Vans, they carried both traditional hand-loaded freight and palletised goods. They were also used to transport tools and machinery from Inchicore to depots around the network for on-site repairs, and some were even assigned to short-distance mail workings between Dún Laoghaire and Connolly Station.  In service, they frequently appeared in mixed goods trains on both main and branch lines, becoming a familiar sight in sidings and yards across the country.

However, as a stop-gap measure, their working lives were destined to be relatively short. Within 10 years, block trains of continuously-braked bogie wagons began to displace them. A dwindling number soldiered on into the late 1970s and early 1980s, when CIÉ finally ceased operating unfitted goods trains.

Wagon in this pack are:

- 26185, Corrugated ends and panelled doors

- 26199, Corrugated ends and panelled doors

- 26204, Corrugated ends and panelled doors