SKELTON15

Thanks for putting me right. I hadn't spotted those details so it could have entered traffic in this state. A sort of 'batch 2 and a half.' I wonder if any more were converted in this way? We may never know.

This is the chassis of batch 2 wagon 958 (aka CCC5558) with a batch 3 body. This was probably a prototype for the batch 3 wagons which used chassis of iron ore tipplers. The batch 3 body had a capacity of 19.5 tons so I don't think this wagon could have entered traffic with the chassis of a 16 ton mineral. It's a wonderful reference photo to confirm the livery and lettering and details of the batch 3 body.

There were 3 types of wagon. First, the straightforward conversion modelled by Accurascale. Second, 16 ton minerals with plated side doors and third, former iron ore tipplers with raised sides and ends. It seems that batch 3 replaced batch 1 so the two types of wagons in David's photos will be batch 2 (lower) and batch 3 (higher).

I notice that the pictures include 2 unannounced ICI soda ash wagons complete with sheet bar. Very welcome to those of us who remember these colourful wagons in service.

Accurascale could produce the first accurate model of the first batch of ICI soda ash wagons as the only external change was the addition of a sheet bar. Thanks to hmrspaul, David Larkin and others, the information I have is that: Vehicle Numbers were 652-801 (120 vehicles in total). Converted by ICI Mond Division from 16 ton mineral wagons (including ex-Ministry wagons) at Avenue Workshops, Northwich between December 1969 and December 1970. Owned by ICI Mond Division B.R. Design Diagram 6/500 Batch 2 of these wagons was also based on 16t mineral wagons but side doors were removed and the sides and ends extended upwards. Converted by C. C. Crump & Co. of Connah’s Quay between November 1971 and March 1972. Batch 3 was based on MSO diagram 1/183 iron ore tipplers converted in 1975 C. C. Crump & Co. of Connah’s Quay (probably) Batch 1 never received TOPS codes or numbers as far as I can tell. I have not seen any evidence of batch 1 running with batch 3 wagons.

What we need is a holiday. So how about modelling 24081 towing 3 static caravans? http://www.2d53.co.uk/llanfairpg/caravan.htm You couldn't make it up as they say. Plenty of type 2 inspiration on this excellent site.