A real ‘can of worms’ ? (I started this thread over on YMRC a couple of weeks ago and thought I'd start it here as well to allow anyone else to comment and keep things simple from my point of view.) Never knew there was so much to learn about the humble BR 16T mineral wagon. http://www.ltsv.com/w_profile_041.php BR 16 Ton Mineral Wagons (For scrap metal train). Since changing to a more modern era (whatever that means) with diesel and AC locomotives, I thought I should do something with the Lima PO open wagons I currently have and was in the process of repainting. Conversion to steel bodied mineral wagons seemed to be the obvious path, so I started doing some research. Trying to depart from coal traffic, which was well in decline by the sort of period I’m aiming at, I thought a scrap metal train would be the answer, with a small scrap yard as one of my ‘Industrial Sidings’ on Latton Fields. Good excuse for freight operations and doesn’t have to be an excessively long train on my small layout. Decided on MCV, which has a 10’ wheel base, were built 1975 and numbered B596000 to B596393. Shouldn’t have top flap door, but hey, ho, modeller’s licence. http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/mineralmcv10ft Dapol unpainted mineral wagon bodies fit quite well, but the ‘orrible great tension lock couplings had to go. Since I’m running block trains with no reason to uncouple individual wagons, I’ve gone for paper clips. (I know a couple of the wagons have coal loads in the pictures, but it’s the way the Dapol wagons are screwed together and the coal has since been removed.) You may notice Kadee couplings on the end wagons and loco. Something else I've been looking at mainly because the close coupling I got with the paper clips, made the loco couplings (small T/L) look too far apart. I've swapped the wheels on five, to Hornby R8097 three hole disk wheels. The other two have solid disk wheels as that's all I had left. (Can't understand why Dapol sell there unpainted 16t Mineral Wagon with spoked wheels!) Tested by pushing the rake around my second radius curves, and seems ok. Buffers almost touch at some places but no locking, so I’m pretty happy with that. Brushed two coats of Humbrol 35 acrylic gloss varnish on the panels where the decals will go and although it does feel smooth, doesn't look very glossy. Just got to find some time now to apply the Railtec decals and then have a think about a bit of weathering. Ed
Popcorn and beverage at the ready, and sitting comfortably ready for part 2 - it's a bit like telly used to be when you had to wait for the next installment Paul
I like the paper clip idea Ed........did you come up with that????? I`ve got my popcorn and a beer.......next!!!! http://www.clickGormo
Thanks chaps, but you might have a bit of a wait as domestic duties take priority (don't want the vino/beer going stale ) Just to clarify, I have four Lima wagons with Dapol bodies and three Dapol wagons which came with small T/Ls fitted in NEM pockets. The Dapol wagons are at the ends of the rake and also have paper clip couplings apart from the loco connection ends where the NEM pocket has been retained and a Kadee #18 fitted. The NEM pockets on these don't centre very well and testing uncoupling the Kadees has been a bit hit and miss, but that's a subject for another thread. The paper clip coupling idea is a very old one from what I've read Gormo, but I saw it used to great effect on a Everard Junction video ages ago and filed it away for future reference, very useful as it happens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBbUa-P2uKI&feature=youtu.be&t=656 Ed
Dear Ed, Re your 16t minerals, it is amazing just how diverse these wagons were, especially after rebodying , "new" wagons using redundant under frames and recycled bodies, and how adaptable to other rough n tough commodities they proved to be. I really like the way you made the paper clip couplings, your good photos clearly show what can be done. Re the NEM pockets, you could try a standard Kadee coupling with box, it may need some plastic are packing, but that would eliminate the , in this case, deficient NEM coupling box. Although Kadees look a bit bulky they are a very effective, durable coupling and in the prototype for everything dept., Australian railways post WW2 converted many 4 wheel wagons to Automatic couplers which the Kadee represents, and it did require a rather large steel draft gear box under the underframe so it does look right. Good work, well done, Best wishes and regards, Echidna
