This was the very first batch of twenty identical wagons which were supplied for the opening of the Peel Line in 1873; of particular note is that the Supporters’ Association constructed a replica of H.1 in 2000 and this remains as sole sole surviving example of the series today, displayed or in occasional use.

Further detail of this particular batch include the fact that H.20 was noted in the records as having been rebuilt as early as 1894, with H.2 having been dismantled and stripped for spare parts in 1954 prior to its scrapping, likely to provide spare parts for the similar three-plank and “M” series drop-side wagons.

The use of these wagons dwindled as it was found the that the prolific “M” series offered more versatility due to their drop-sides as opposed to the smaller central aperture on these three-plank versions.  There were a total of seventy eight of this “M”  type, being supplied up to 1925 with one surviving today.

When delivered they were described as “being capable of offering third class passenger accommodation” and indeed were used to transport the military band on opening day with protective rails attached; no evidence has come to light of this use being made of the wagons subsequently but can be seen on opening day images.