This cement works is based in the 1960s and there are very few models available for this era. Present day trucks can carry payloads of well over 200 tons and would look rather out of place in a confined space, the one shown here carries 1 tenth of that. As luck would have it two 1960s models are very useful and these I describe here, the truck although easy to buy, locating information about it was not. Anyway this article includes links to information that I have found. The two main types of vehicles used in the limestone quarrying for my cement works are 3 Foden dump tracks and a JCB. The Fodens are used to haul the limestone from the quarry and the JCB to clear up spills from tipping. Foden Dump Truck. The Foden is the Lesney Kingsize 5 produced between 1961-1966, the earlier models with the diecast wheels are best and mine are as filthy and battered as bought, mud and all. Please note that I use all vintages of items on my railway intermixed freely under Rule 1. This model measures 4.25ins long, and at a scale of 1:74 (https://matchbox.fandom.com/wiki/Foden_Dumper_Truck_(K-5)) it scales well with the railway. A B&W photograph of the prototype suggests it is certainly close enough. Battered unboxed models are available at modest prices online. Details of the prototype and a B&W image can be found at (scroll well down the page):- https://www.trucknetuk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=130552&start=630 An edited summary from that link. "The Foden FR6/45 Dump truck was designed around 1958 for an interested NCB (National Coal Board), it was well built with a 300hp Turbo Rolls Royce engine. Max payload was 28 Tons on a 18 cu yd body. Although it performed well under test the NCB did not confirm an order. However other companies were interested and they found their way into cement and other industries." Foden Company https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foden_Trucks JCB. This is a JCB Mk3 built from the Airfix kit and is shown as bought online with another in traditional yellow and red. Already cement grey weathered, glazed and fitted with a driver it blends in well straight out of the box, a lucky buy. This Airfix original is readily available new from Dapol. Familiar worldwide but further info here :- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backhoe JCB Company https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JCB_(company) My earlier articles may be found at https://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?forums/industrial-commercial/ Jim Return to index of articles.
Some interesting information Jim. Thanks for sharing. I grew up down near Dartford, not far from the Blue Circle Cement works at Northfleet and went on several school trips to it. It was quite a sight, especially inside the kilns! Vehicles are an oft overlooked part of a model railway and they can make or break a scene if not done right imo.
Agreed, I am glad you found it interesting, visits to the BCC works must have seem overpowering to a youngster. My researching of cement manufacture infers that the size of these places can be quite breathtaking. Jim
I hope you have better luck than I have had trying to find 1:76 1960's UK concrete mixer/delivery trucks, the only ones I have found are very expensive kits without the necessary wrap around cab glazing, but then again my Fodens aren't glazed Really haven't the time to kit bash multiple vehicles based on the Foden S21 for the concrete mixing plant, a local customer for my cement works. Jim
This one any good for you Jim...... https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Matchbo...603481?hash=item1f1c3ad399:g:W78AAOSwiVRfnCMP
Thanks but this is the plastic wheeled version of the Foden FR6/45 quarry dump truck, the Foden S21 is like this e.g. a 6x4 :- https://en.wheelsage.org/foden/s21/pictures/wuqklz or a larger 8x4 https://picclick.co.uk/Transport-Ro...crete-Mixer-Arden-Stockport-254032035388.html Like other modellers I have bought 3 Wiking modern large barrel cement trucks but as they are 1:87 I could graft the barrels to 1:76 Foden S21 6x4 chassis from a Lledo artic where they would look smaller. Langley Models make an Foden S21 kit but overpriced IMO. Jim
Was certainly awe inspiring, and much more interesting than the oft repeated visits to Rochester Castle (not that that was boring though, but after 5 trips (compulsory back then) it kinda grew a bit tiresome!). After I left school not long after the site was decommissioned and started towards in part what it would be known as today, Bluewater. Always have had a bit of an interest in the cement workings in the area and have found a few books on the subject over the years when browsing the second hand books at exhibitions.