While not a standard design, most 7 Plank wagons followed the same build criteria with drop sides to transport general merchandise. The 7 Plank Open Wagon, along with similar 3 and 5 plank versions, is a stalwart for locomotion. Exposed, easy to load, and pleasant in its simplicity, the open wagon was an essential part of the early days of the railway network, before roads had the capacity for freight that they have come to in the modern day. Plank wagons were owned by their respective companies, not leased from the operator as would become normal and as such early trains would be made up of an eclectic mix of colourful sign written wagons.