O Gauge Seacow & Sealion Ballast Hoppers

Reflecting British Railways’ fondness for naming its engineering vehicles after marine wildlife, hundreds of ‘Seacow’ and ‘Sealion’ ballast hoppers entered service in the 1970s. Many remained in front-line use until 2016, when the final examples were withdrawn.

The key difference between the two types is that ‘Seacows’ are air-braked only while ‘Sealions’ are both air- and vacuum-fitted. With a 40-ton ballast capacity, the hoppers could be seen across the country both singly and in rakes (often paired with a ‘Shark’), making them ideal candidates for O Gauge layouts large and small.