Bogie bolster wagon

The load is carried longitudinally and borne by three or more bolsters (half baulks of timber) fixed transversely.

The load is constrained sideways by movable metal stanchions fitted into the ends of the bolsters, and secured with chains and shackles.

The space between baulks allows room for tie-down chains or lifting straps, making the bolster design easier to work with than a completely flat bed.

The bolsters could even be allowed to swivel around a central locating pin, and curved steel rubbing strips on the wagon deck.

Most designs also had "stakes", which are removable vertical steel bars to restrain a load from rolling or sliding sideways.

Codes for these wagons included 'Salmon', Bobol[5] and 'Gane'[4] A number of bogie bolsters have been preserved on British heritage railways, as they are convenient for moving rails, telegraph poles and other permanent way loads.