Steel was scarce at the time when Islington Workshops began construction of 22 wooden bodied brake no’s 4400-4421 from 1954 - 1956. Photo courtesy of Steam Ranger Heritage Railway photography unknown
The 4400’s were probably built as a stop gap measure as the steel 8300 brake vans were already in service. In 1977 they were withdrawn from service and 1 is allocated to Steam Ranger Heritage Railway