BMT 1 Experimental Milk Tanker
A new BMT 1 at Elston’s Siding,
Redfern. SRA
Photo
The first ‘Milk Pot’, BMT 1 was built for
‘Dairy Farmers’ Co-operative Milk Co. Ltd’ before 1943 and was the first use of
a glass-lined tank by the railways. The original livery of BMT 1, proudly
advertised the use of glass-lined tanks for hygienic reasons. The vehicle
consisted of two 2500 gallon tanks fitted to E 21036 flat wagon. The tanks are
15’11” long and had an outside diameter of 6’9”.
The tanks were filled through a hatch at the
top of the tank, which originally had a removable cover placed over them. The
covers looked like domes from the ground, and were removed permanently by the
mid 1950’s. The gravity discharge pipe was mounted below the underframe, in a
similar fashion as petrol tankers.
Builders:
Dairy Farmers purchased and converted the wagon. It is unknown when the vehicle
was converted, but it was done so prior to 1943.
Length: 40ft (12.2m) Tare: 28.5t Capacity:
23t Gross: 51.5t Equiv
Length: 2
Bogies:
Originally fitted with 2AE bogies.
Colour
Scheme:
-
As
introduced, the tanks were painted Olive green. Tank supports and retainers
were silver. The underframe, ladders and bogies were black. Lettering was
applied to the tank sides and was red with yellow bordering.
-
In
the mid 1950’s, the wagon was released from overhaul in the standard black
livery with yellow name boards.
-
In
the mid 1960’s, the wagon was again overhauled. The tanks were repainted a
light grey with black underframe and bogies. The tanks had no lettering or
signage applied.
Modifications:
-
In
the mid-50’s, the tank retainers were strengthened and cross bracing was fitted
to the wagon. The filler hatch covers were also removed by this time.
-
In
1964, the wagon was overhauled by Dairy Farmers and re-entered service fitted
with a new underframe. The cross bracing was changed from diagonal to
horizontal rods. In this later condition, the wagon was sold to Manildra.
Similar Vehicles:
Sold to Manildra in the late-60’s and became BGT Glucose
Tanker.
Period of
Service: Before 1943 to late-1960’s.
Operation:
It
was used in conjunction with other milk tankers such as the BMT,
MLV and MLK wagons.
Modelling:
The wagon could be modeled with a
combination of Casula Hobbies ‘E’ flat wagon and LMR BMT kit parts.
Plan: BMT E underframe GA
Further
reading:
-
An
extensive article appears in the January/February 1979 of AMRM (Issue 94). It
shows early paint schemes and photos of all the variations.
BMT 1 in the mid-50’s at Darling Harbur. Notice
the added braces. NSWGR
photo
BMT 1 late in its life, after receiving a new
underframe. Graham
Ball