Ruston Posted October 7, 2016 Share Posted October 7, 2016 I was going to post this in UK Industrial but I guess there may be people who have reserached them for modelling that isn't strictly industrial... I've built the tippler but I'm wondering how they were powered. I presume electric motors but would like to know for sure. I have thoughts of having a derelict building with a boiler in it as if the plant had been modernised to run electric motors but was originally steam-powered. Also, the control of wagon tipplers - the pictures that I have seen don't show any control hut. Does this mean they didn't have one and a bloke stood next to it and pushed a button, or have photographers never widened the shot to include the control hut? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 7, 2016 Share Posted October 7, 2016 Older ones might have been powered by a hydraulic motor; the ones (end-tippers, normally) at docks were powered like that from the late 19th century onwards. More recent ones would have used geared-down electric motors- some I remember had a toothed wheel around the edge, big enough for a wagon to pass through. There always seemed to be a lot of counter-weights built into the frames. If the device was electric, then the controls would have probably been not much more than a weather-proof box, with push-buttons for 'Forward', 'Reverse' and 'Emergency Stop'. There wasn't much finesse in the control. The one I walked past every day one summer, built by Stothert and Pitt for BSC Landore, was pretty basic, and fairly typical. Mind you, this one ( http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/grimethorpetippler ) is even more basic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted October 7, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 7, 2016 I don't know the answer to your question, but would be interested to see your model tippler. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazjones1711 Posted October 7, 2016 Share Posted October 7, 2016 This is my wagon tippler, a oo working model of a strachen and henshaw type, all handbuilt , operated by a geared motor underneath pulling a thin cord to pull it upwards. The cosmetic gears on the model is a belt from an old printer.anymore questions just ask! 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruston Posted October 7, 2016 Author Share Posted October 7, 2016 Older ones might have been powered by a hydraulic motor; the ones (end-tippers, normally) at docks were powered like that from the late 19th century onwards. More recent ones would have used geared-down electric motors- some I remember had a toothed wheel around the edge, big enough for a wagon to pass through. There always seemed to be a lot of counter-weights built into the frames. If the device was electric, then the controls would have probably been not much more than a weather-proof box, with push-buttons for 'Forward', 'Reverse' and 'Emergency Stop'. There wasn't much finesse in the control. The one I walked past every day one summer, built by Stothert and Pitt for BSC Landore, was pretty basic, and fairly typical. Mind you, this one ( http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/grimethorpetippler ) is even more basic. Thanks for that, Brian. I don't know the answer to your question, but would be interested to see your model tippler. It's not finished yet but pictures of the progress are here - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/76299-royd-hall-drift/page-8 This is my wagon tippler, a oo working model of a strachen and henshaw type, all handbuilt , operated by a geared motor underneath pulling a thin cord to pull it upwards. The cosmetic gears on the model is a belt from an old printer.anymore questions just ask! IMG_20150724_224548~3.jpg That is excellent. Have you got any more pictures of your layout? You ought to post in the UK Standard Gauge Industrial section of this forum. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruston Posted October 7, 2016 Author Share Posted October 7, 2016 Older ones might have been powered by a hydraulic motor; Just one question: Presumably a hydraulic motor has to have some pump arrangement to produce pressure in a hydraulic system, so how does this work and what powers the pump? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Rixon Posted October 7, 2016 Share Posted October 7, 2016 The hydraulic power may come from a tall water-tower providing a great head. There was one such at Grimsby docks. Some parts of London had hydraulic power piped in over some distance from commercial suppliers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward66 Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 The one at Lancaster power station had quite a high lift and the wagon was inverted to empty it. I was only very young at the time and don't remember any details other than the rake of wagons was pushed in place by a fireless locomotive "Lancaster no.1". Our viewpoint was from the Lancaster canal which itself was well elevated crossing the nearby river Lune on an impressive aquaduct designed by John Rennie. I also remember we saw the wagon turned over but only heard the sound a second later, light travelling much faster. The lift was a considerable distance from the canal. I think the lift was not too dissimilar to the coaling plant at Carnforth. It was all very exciting and Mum used to have to drag us away after a while. Edward 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 (edited) Mind you, this one ( http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/grimethorpetippler ) is even more basic. I don't understand why this modern tippler is described as basic. It unloaded a stream of loaded hoppers whilst we were there, taking only 2 or 3 minutes each. The wagons moved onto the tippler by gravity and was knocked on after unloading by the next wagon coming down. The wagons were walked down so the handbrake could be applied. I wouldn't be surprised to learn it had a capacity of a couple of hundred tons an hour. This photograph shows the control room http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/grimethorpetippler/e397ace89 - looks like a 1950s or 60s industrial building to my eyes. Paul Edited October 25, 2016 by hmrspaul 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruston Posted October 25, 2016 Author Share Posted October 25, 2016 Thanks for posting that, Paul. I notice there's a weighing machine inside the building. I can't see a weighbridge in front of it, so I assume the tippler doubles as a weighbridge? This is something I have been wondering about. Since making the original post, and from the answers given, I have made a simple outdoor control post with buttons but I may change this and have a control/weigh cabin instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 My rather basic tippler.. and the inspiration.. but not the only way to unload wagons.. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 The hydraulic power may come from a tall water-tower providing a great head. There was one such at Grimsby docks. Some parts of London had hydraulic power piped in over some distance from commercial suppliers. This was the original hydraulic power station at North Dock, Llanelli. It's still in existence, and is now a posh (by Llanelli standards) restaurant. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Sosban+Restaurant/@51.6762985,-4.1711192,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1s-R2DeKWLti6U%2FVyH7U42H97I%2FAAAAAAAAABQ%2FD0Xpwq_bkX4xKRIdPg9d0dIOlV5v7q96wCLIB!2e4!3e12!6s%2F%2Flh6.googleusercontent.com%2F-R2DeKWLti6U%2FVyH7U42H97I%2FAAAAAAAAABQ%2FD0Xpwq_bkX4xKRIdPg9d0dIOlV5v7q96wCLIB%2Fs86-k-no%2F!7i1360!8i1362!4m8!1m2!2m1!1sNorth+Dock,+Llanelli!3m4!1s0x0:0x49188e63547488a0!8m2!3d51.6762976!4d-4.1711193!6m1!1e1?hl=en It would have powered the coal hoists and the dockside cranes, and any wagon capstans. Despite its appearance, it only dates from the end of the 19th Century. Water would have been pumped by steam power. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 I don't understand why this modern tippler is described as basic. It unloaded a stream of loaded hoppers whilst we were there, taking only 2 or 3 minutes each. The wagons moved onto the tippler by gravity and was knocked on after unloading by the next wagon coming down. The wagons were walked down so the handbrake could be applied. I wouldn't be surprised to learn it had a capacity of a couple of hundred tons and hour. This photograph shows the control room http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/grimethorpetippler/e397ace89 - looks like a 1950s or 60s industrial building to my eyes. Paul By 'basic', I meant that it wasn't enclosed in some sort of building, unlike others I have encountered. The design itself is only as complex as it needs to be. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 By 'basic', I meant that it wasn't enclosed in some sort of building, unlike others I have encountered. The design itself is only as complex as it needs to be. The difference between wet Wales (not in my personal experience mind, but I am aware it sometimes rains!) and dry Yorkshire (which it is, except when it floods) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir douglas Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Bord na mona have Rotary tipplers on their 3ft gauge peat systems, the couplings are in the centre of rotation and have a joint in them so that the wagons dont need to be uncoupled croghan briquette factory http://www.ingr.co.uk/images/ire_web13.jpg Shannonbridge powerstation http://www.davehonan.com/2013/01/05/irelands-peat-bog-railways/ Lanesborough powerstation - the wagon is halfway round and upside down but still coupled http://www.ingr.co.uk/lanesb.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazjones1711 Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 A few pictures of the tippler on Shepcote Lane ,still a lot more to do until it's finished ! 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
montyburns56 Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 Corralls Wharf 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johann Marsbar Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 Co-Op coal yard, Derby Road, Ipswich, presumably taken when the installation was fairly new, judging by the spectators..... 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 14 minutes ago, Johann Marsbar said: Co-Op coal yard, Derby Road, Ipswich, presumably taken when the installation was fairly new, judging by the spectators..... There was a similar installation at Lincoln. Not only could they tip wagons regardless of which end the door was at, but hopper wagons could be discharged via the central shute. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted June 25, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 25, 2020 Are there any tipplers still in use in the UK? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Welch Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 Here is a link to a 1928 film of the ICI plants (Winnington and Wallerscote) at Northwich, Cheshire in 1928. The very short part of railway interest starts at 4:18 and shows the limestone train leaving the quarries at Buxton followed by the wagon tippler in action which may be of interest to the OP. The introduction of the famous ICI limestone hoppers in 1937 meant that the tippler would eventually become redundant. Wallerscote works is long since closed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3u8Z70iIOM 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Saunders Posted June 26, 2020 Share Posted June 26, 2020 14 hours ago, russ p said: Are there any tipplers still in use in the UK? BSC Scunthorpe for the iron ore. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted June 26, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 26, 2020 2 hours ago, Mark Saunders said: BSC Scunthorpe for the iron ore. Ah of course how did I forget about those. That must be last place with them, are those two disused ones still next to the old south bank coke ovens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Saunders Posted June 26, 2020 Share Posted June 26, 2020 56 minutes ago, russ p said: Ah of course how did I forget about those. That must be last place with them, are those two disused ones still next to the old south bank coke ovens Not sure as its part of the works I never visited! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted June 26, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 26, 2020 They used to be visible from the railway. They were on the west side of the works next to Smith's dock Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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