Following February’s announcement of six-wheel tankers in N Gauge, Dapol has announced a range of six versions in O Gauge.

Initially built as four-wheel milk tankers by the Southern Railway for United Dairies, they were later modified with six wheels to overcome poor riding and the consequent need to operate at reduced speed.

More than 630 six-wheel milk tankers were built between 1932 and 1948, and used throughout the UK until superseded by road tankers in the 1980s.

The O Gauge models will be extremely detailed, with accurate body shells and chassis, and will feature many separately added details. They will have sprung metal buffers, metal sprung coupling hooks, and metal screw couplings.

The six liveries will be:

• United Dairies No. 44026
• Express Dairies For London No. 733
• Unigate Creameries / St Ivel No. S4430
• United Dairy Wholesale (UDW) No. 2011
• Satlink Western No. 2952

Dapol has prepared and supplied the artwork for the tankers to its partner factory in China, and is currently awaiting the delivery of decorated samples of the new liveries.

The new models are expected to be on sale in spring 2027 at a retail price of £87.50.

Before then, Dapol expects new OO Gauge models of six-wheel tankers, liveried for Primrose Dairy of St. Erth in Cornwall and Ridlers Ciders from Evans & Ridler Ltd of Hereford, which are planned for sale next month.