What is a 'Beetle' van?

A 'Beetle Van' is a term used to describe a wagon specifically designed to carry prize cattle or other valuable livestock. The wagon was divided into two equally sized livestock compartments that were able to accommodate up to three cows per compartment.

The 'Beetle Van' was also designed and configured to carry an attendant for the animals and some wagons had a stove specifically installed for greater comfort for the attendant. Whenever the train stopped the attendant could then look after the welfare of the animals. Introduced in the 1920s, these wagons soldiered on until the 1960s.