Modern steel trains (1990s-2015)

[JDW]

Recently I've started trying to concentrate on freight stock, after years of focussing on modelling and running DMUs, whilst nice shiny clean wagons sat in my token freight yard...

 

Anyway, I have quite a varied fleet, and a number of different types of steel carriers:

2 EWS BYAs (covered steel carriers)

2 EWS BZAs with removable rolled steel load and cradles or stanchions

a Cargowaggon bogie flat with stanchions

5 Loadhaul/Railfreight BDA flats with stanchions (currently loaded with rails or plastic pipes)

4 OBA/OCA wagons, EWS and Railfreight colours. 

plus a couple of Cargowaggon bogie vans and various EWS/Railfreight VGAs.

 

So, my question is, which of those could realistically be seen together, and carrying what?  I've seen pictures of some BZAs with the coils loaded sideways instead of end-ways as they are out of the box.  Is there a limit (because of weight) to how many a wagon can carry - there is space for 5, could I put 5 on?  If only a few are loaded, would they be over the bogies?

 

I realise that not all of the types may have worked together and some are used for different things, I'm just trying to get my head around what would be a reasonable yet varied mix of wagon types in one train.

 

Could the bogie flat Cargowaggon be used for timber too?  It may end up with some OTAs instead...

 

Besides the Harburn steel coil loads (which are too wide for the Bachmann OCAs), are there any others available that might be usable?

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated!  Thanks!

[Fat Controller]

I can't see why you couldn't run all the types together; there are certainly places where they might all be seen.

Loading BZAs- they could carry five coils, depending on the weight of the coil. If you decide to load fewer, then one would be over each bogie, and the others equally spaced. Are the Bachmann coil cradles a single piece, or five individual ones? The way the coils were loaded would depend on the unloading facilities at the destination, and customer preferences.

Cargowaggon flats were used for timber, thogh not generally for the smaller section stuff found on OTAs; they loaded either large tree-trunks (often exported to Italy for the furniture trade) or finished timber (scaffolding boards were a common load, often to locations in the Midlands). A few wagons were modified with mesh sides and ends for traffic to Caberboard, but don't seem to have been a huge success.

The BDA/BEAs would carry sections, and also engineer's bar and re-bar.

OBAs and OCAs were used for wire coil.

The most likely locations to see all the types together would be the West Midlands (Wolverhampton Steel Terminal and elsewhere) and on the WCML to Glasgow, where the terminal near Mossend Yard (P D Stirling) handled all sorts of traffic, including coal and china clay.

Have a look at Paul Bartlett's site to see typical loads.

[Steadfast]

Looking at the more recent end of your range, basically I'd say it depends where in the country you are running them. In South Wales you could have a good mix of covered and open steel carriers tripping between Margam and Llanwern, but the bulk (though not all!) of longer distance workings tend to be one or the other. 

Here's a mix, there's some open coil carriers at the back, it's 6B67 from Margam to Llanwern.

 

As Brian mentioned above, the capacity is five coils, but it's down to the weight of the coils. I've never seen on first hand loaded with more than three, but I don't know if coils are heavier now than say 20 years ago?

OCAs for your era are probably better pressed into use on engineers workings, carrying sundry materials to and from worksites. Often this comprises timber batons from sleeper packing, one ton dumpy bags of aggregate, drainage pipes etc.

One thing I'd heartily recommend is visiting Martyn Read's site. His wagon section is here: https://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/UKRailRollingstock

Wagons are grouped by TOPS code, and it's  a really good way of gauging what runs with what, what loads, where, when etc

Oh - and in the EWS era, don't be afraid of mixing the liveries up a bit! Even now there's a few Railfreight red BDAs mixed in with Loadhaul, EWS, Yellow and DBS red ones!

 

Jo

[JDW]

Thanks, some very useful comments there, my layout is vaguely West Yorkshire in that WYPTE DMUs can be seen, along with Northern, Northern Spirit, Central Trains, Regional Railways (including Central and North West varieties), EMT, as well as the odd XC or MML 170 - though not all at the same time of course!  South Wales is a bit far, but I could stretch to something heading that way, or towards the WCML from somewhere like Aldwarke or Tinsley, or the East Coast ports.

 

The cradles are 5 separate ones on the Bachmann wagon, so I might see about turning them sideways - I hadn't thought that loading or unlading might be the reason, but its obvious now you've said it.  I'd forgotten Martyn Read's site, Paul Bartlett's is useful as always. 

 

The Cargowaggon flat will probably find a use elsewhere too, so as not to overwhelm the shorter steel wagons, as will the OBA/OCAs. 

[40044]

The Cobra depot in Wakefield has seen most if not all of those wagon types over the years.

 

Going back to the late 1990s, IGAs used to arrive with small diameter tube from France, BYAs with coil from South Wales and Lackenby, BZAs with coil from Lackenby, OCA/BDA with rod-in-coil or rebar from Cardiff, Cargowaggons also with long rebar from Cardiff, VGAs with mineral water from Inverness.

[Rivercider]

The Cobra depot in Wakefield has seen most if not all of those wagon types over the years.

 

Going back to the late 1990s, IGAs used to arrive with small diameter tube from France, BYAs with coil from South Wales and Lackenby, BZAs with coil from Lackenby, OCA/BDA with rod-in-coil or rebar from Cardiff, Cargowaggons also with long rebar from Cardiff, VGAs with mineral water from Inverness.

Wakefield Cobra is a good suggestion, there are a number of photos on Flickr of the trains and depot.

 

From 1991 a 37

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lickeybanker/10705763535/in/faves-72022549@N03/

 

from 1993 a 56 in the terminal

https://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_davis_photos/5908299688/in/photolist-a16zE1-a3RJap-9ZWE7y-oRdRHW-oyKZA6-oQZ2jX-bSMX8z-8FKm4u-oPe4a9-8FKkXm-8FKmfb-8FG9Tx-dyz43H-kdWf5B-jQWB4k-xZxzFL-kdWPyD-ffFQqb-i98LH4-fPVF99-8FKnd9-8FGaCz-hVB3Cz-dPYcNr-fDRcVj-6BBHaV-6BBFwZ-fPVF8y-6BFNrQ-8FGarM-eEysx2-8FKmw1-8FGagV-8FKmQw-8FGane-6BBGmv-6BBHvp-6BFQkf-6BFQhL-6BFQrC-6BBFWD-6BFSCW-6BBFnR-6BFQxw-6BBFFR-6BFPdj-6BBHZt-6BFSAN-6BFPbs-6BBHHZ

 

from 1999 another 37

https://www.flickr.com/photos/neil_harvey_railway_photos/12368267613/in/photolist-jQWB4k-xZxzFL-kdWPyD-ffFQqb-i98LH4-fPVF99-8FKnd9-8FGaCz-hVB3Cz-dPYcNr-fDRcVj-6BBHaV-6BBFwZ-fPVF8y-6BFNrQ-8FGarM-eEysx2-8FKmw1-8FGagV-8FKmQw-8FGane-6BBGmv-6BBHvp-6BFQkf-6BFQhL-6BFQrC-6BBFWD-6BFSCW-6BBFnR-6BFQxw-6BBFFR-6BFPdj-6BBHZt-6BFSAN-6BFPbs-6BBHHZ-6BFRZw-6BBHTR-6BBFUD-6BBE2Z-6BFNSL-6BFS1L-6BBE8T-6BBFBp-6BFQ1u-6BBErK-6BBFsg-6BBFyT-6BBGA2-6BFSuh

 

from 1999 a 47

https://www.flickr.com/photos/51265696@N03/6358235299/in/photolist-aFRBQx

 

from 2001 a 66

https://www.flickr.com/photos/neil_harvey_railway_photos/9731342668/in/photolist-fPVF99-8FKnd9-8FGaCz-hVB3Cz-dPYcNr-fDRcVj-6BBHaV-6BBFwZ-fPVF8y-6BFNrQ-8FGarM-eEysx2-8FKmw1-8FGagV-8FKmQw-8FGane-6BBGmv-6BBHvp-6BFQkf-6BFQhL-6BFQrC-6BBFWD-6BFSCW-6BBFnR-6BFQxw-6BBFFR-6BFPdj-6BBHZt-6BFSAN-6BFPbs-6BBHHZ-6BFRZw-6BBHTR-6BBFUD-6BBE2Z-6BFNSL-6BFS1L-6BBE8T-6BBFBp-6BFQ1u-6BBErK-6BBFsg-6BBFyT-6BBGA2-6BFSuh-6BBGxP-6BBE6k-z5QmcP-6BBGCe-6BBGjF

 

from 2002 a 60 at the terminal

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16367443@N04/8537365660/in/photolist-e1qenE-6BFPqS-6BFSF1-6BFQPU-6BFRTo-6BFNUA-6BBF3F-6BBGHM-cYTAWC-6BFNWY-6BFPAL-6BFSjh-6BBFux-6BBEh6-6BFQpj-6BBGfi-syorAW-6BFPWq-6BBEMg-6BFRME-6BBEdk-6BBHD4-6BBDZX-6BBEWe-6BBGXa-6BBFiK-6BFSoE-6BBHgr-6BBH5g-6BBEf2-6BFNKE-6BBEwk-sfzoJs-6BFQTf-6BBGax-6BFRAs-6BFQK3-6BFR4Y-6BBHEg-6BFRF9-6BBEpK-sfzpUy-6BBGS8-6BFPsC-sxaGD8-suSoqm-6BBGPZ-6BBH94-6BBGGr-6BBF8k

 

from around 2000 another 66

https://www.flickr.com/photos/80949614@N05/14845701009/in/photolist-dfozHM-dfoFMT-dfoxcP-dfoAJW-dfow86-dfoAdT-dfovea-dfozvC-dfoyKr-dfoyAa-dfoAzm-oBS6Ge-98yYGr-9Vm1gU-9UhVEd-9U8Kj1-dfoHXG-dfoHKU-dfoziq-dfoyrn-dfozdz-dfowPf-dfoyWc-dfoAim-dfovtb-dfot2F-dfosPz-dfoukA-dfouNA-9U5SfP-9Uojc5-9U5MNp-dfotEm-9UdPY2-9URx2f-qMUec5-gBcTEK-qN353e-qMSTvG-9Ud1Ma-9UgGsW-dQtjkJ-dYb5j9-9TQRLd-9YQqZE-9YPjoM-9YNCrH-9Z3ThK-9UdXeg-odYDzi

 

cheers

[Revolution Ben]

Hi JDW,

 

Our club layout Horseley Fields is based loosely on Wolverhampton, and I did a little research into steel trains which we then modelled. This was written up into an article for Model Rail a couple of years ago.

 

As has been said the wagons used in individual trains are largely determined by their loads and the terminal facilities.

 

In the case of Wolverhampton, finished steel rod, plate, wire and coiled sheet arrives from Humberside and South Wales and is stored before final delivery by road.  The terminal features one siding inside and a handful outside.

 

https://flic.kr/p/v6es2A

 

Some steel is unloaded and stored inside as it has to be protected from the elements; this is conveyed in covered carriers such as BIA, BYA, BWA, BXA, JSA, IHA.  Steel that is to be stored outside is usually loaded onto open wagons such as SPAs, BAAs or BDAs.

 

Often, the trains are mixed but marshalled in clearly delineated halves; as can be seen in this train where there are five BYAs immediately behind the locomotive and then a BDA; though not visible the remainder of the train is likely to include either BDAs or possibly SPAs too.

 

https://flic.kr/p/opsT6s

 

In this train the principle is the same, but the flat wagons are directly behind the locomotive while the covered ones are at the rear:

 

https://flic.kr/p/rjuVmZ

 

Sometimes the trains are only comprised of one type, and can be quite short too, making them very modellable.  This train of just 3 BYAs doesn't really need a Class 60!

 

https://flic.kr/p/oCm8WR

 

I have found the easiest way to develop an feel for these trains is to Google or Flickr search the headcodes - for Wolverhampton trains try 6M99 or 6E08.

 

Here is a shot of our layout.  The terminal can be seen in the background.  The open wagons are already in the siding alongside the building, now the covered wagons are being reversed in.

 

http://www.demu.org.uk/showcase/2014/HorseleyFields.jpg

 

If you're interested there are plenty more photographs online, on our website or on the Horseley Fields thread on RM Web, which is linked in my signature.

 

Beyond this, there are similar trains that visit other steel terminals in the West Midlands such as Round Oak, and there are the longer block workings from steel works to rolling mills or finishing plants that usually tend to comprise a single commodity and therefore a single wagon type.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

[JDW]

Thanks guys, the headcode idea is a good one, I'll try that, some very interesting info and pictures too, but Rivercider, did you HAVE to post a pic of a "Dutch" 47?  I feel a purchase coming on...

[Fat Controller]

To add to Ben's comments, here's a link to a bit of Paul Bartlett's site that you might have missed:-

http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/wolverhamptonsteel

and another to a site concerned with the cranes and other tackle used to lift them:-

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90515111@N06/

Coils would be handled with C-hooks on cranes or (large) forklifts, if loaded on their sides, or by forklift-mounted clamps if loaded eye-to sky.

If you're modelling in 4mm, then there used to be a large forklift in the Kibri range that would do nicely:-

http://www.constructionscalemodels.com/en/kalmar-container-forklift-kibri-kib10432Don't be put off by the 'container-handler' title- the box-lifting kit slides on and off the forks.

[JDW]

Thanks Brian, I won't be needing an unloader for them though, sadly I don't have room for a steel terminal... nor an aggregates terminal, nor a wagon depot, nor a... ... so many ideas, so little space!  

[The Bigbee Line]

As a taster, some shots from my mis-spent middle age.  Working away from home Mon - Fri, what to do in the evenings.  Taking pictures was a pleasant pastime.

 

From the grand footbridge at Hatfield and Stainforth, a Scunthorpe bound freight; steel empties on the front and some loaded BDA's plus runners on the rear.  I particularly like the railway graffiti "COOK MY SOCK"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 100 tonne steel carriers are a 'bashers delight'.  Plus the paintwork is easy to replicate.  I took thousands of images of such wagons and have detail shots if required.  Downloadable in Flickr without restriction (no watermarks etc)

[The Bigbee Line]

Wakefield Cobra - Went there twice, didn't take enough pictures, bu**er!!

 

Only 1 road in the shed (I think), plus a couple of sidings at the top of the bank for transfers.  

 

1996 a visit when with Railfreight Distribution:  Shunt loco beside the shed and some empty 2 axle steel carriers in the sidings on the bank.

 

 

 

 

Plus an EWS visit to look at the JSA, BSSP4037 with a missing bearing cover.  The JSA would have delivered coils for pressing and the F2 van seen in the yard would have brought in wire in coil.

 

 

[Fat Controller]

Some nice photos there, Ernie. I think the train in the first set might have been a working from Shelton Bar (Stoke); this used to receive blooms from Lackenby or Scunthorpe to roll into sections. The finished product was sometimes sent back east for shipment from Teessport or Immingham. The sections in the photos are some of the shorter ones; they used to send some via the Tunnel which used a 22m Cargowaggon flat, with an SNCF low-sided flat as an under-runner on either end.

Those bearing covers (like the 'anchors' on Y25 bogies) have a habit of dropping off in the most annoying places- on top of a HBD, for example.