Diagram 4 Open Goods Wagon - 36in sides, door on each side - to carry 7tons

This design of 4-plank Open wagon was introduced in 1894 and built continuously in each year until 1903, by which time there were about 15,000 in stock. The design was similar to that of the Diagram 1 & 2 wagons except for the 36in side, which consisted of four 9in planks. All Diagram 4 wagons were 16ft long by 7ft 8in wide externally. Centrally on each side was a dropdown door 4ft 7½in wide and the full height of the side. All the wagons were built with 6in x 3in journals, grease-type axleboxes and were rated at 7 tons. Many were built as revenue replacements for scrapped Diagram 1 and 2 wagons, but some were built on capital account.

The buffers were the usual 10in round base 3-bolt style and a single iron brake block, operated by a pushrod, was fitted new to all vehicles. Wagons built new after 1898, and some on heavy repair, were fitted with a second similar brake on the other side. About 3600 wagons of this type passed to the LMS in 1923, but many of the others were not withdrawn but rather were upgraded to 10tons by the fitting of larger bearings, in which form they became Diagram 9 wagons.

From photographs the following numbers are on record: 7308 [5.10.1], 8155, 10912 [5.3.2], 19689 [5.2.0], 25734 [5.7.2], 34286 [5.2.3], 41888 [5.15.0], 49448 [5.1.0], 53603, 66396 [5.7.2], 68410 [5.7.0].

This photograph of Diagram 4, No.49448, in its 6ton version was taken by the late J P Richards in 1922 and shows a livery without the white diamonds on the side but with the tare weight moved up from the solebar to the curbrail. Mechanically and structurally the wagon is in original condition with the small grease axleboxes and a single pushrod brake fitted to one wheel only. Note the sprung doorstop and the striker plate in the centre of the door.

Source HMRS Collection AAG904

The side elevation of drawing Earlestown GA.6, dated 14.12.1895, showing the original version of a Diagram 4 Open wagon fitted with a pushrod brake.

Source HMRS. Dwg No.1138