RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted November 6, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 6, 2020 All of my references for weed-killing train markings are taken from the web and some are not particularly clear. I can see clearly what the main text is on the sides, but at the upper right hand side there are two short lines of text in italics. What are they? I am guessing that because they are italics, one is probably "Tare xx tons xx lbs" But is the other then "Gross Wt xx tons xx lbs" And what were the weights? Tare weight of an empty Dean tender should be easy to find, and add a little for the extra buffers, plated over bunker etc. And Gross will be Tare plus weight of max water volume. Or have I got this wrong? Regards, 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillCav Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 Hi MIB, I haven't got any better pictures of the 3 x tenders with cab weedkiller train. Compare it with the version which looks like a modified low mac. That looks like Tons when empty xx-xx " " full xx-xx So I thinks your version is Empty xx-xx Full xx-xx Maybe if you contact Steam, they may have a better quality image? Will 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosiesBoss Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 G'day, all, When researching for my model of one of these trains, I also found the image of the weedkilling train with a cab which had indistinct empty/full markings. This was the set from Wolverhampton: http://www.westernthunder.co.uk/index.php?threads/a-little-fun-can-we-identify-this-tender.6476/ The Taunton Division set had no such markings: https://www.alamy.com/great-western-railway-launches-weed-killing-campaign-scratch-them-with-spray-express-the-spray-express-and-you-train-which-deals-out-death-at-20-miles-an-hour-to-weeds-growing-on-the-great-western-railways-lines-has-started-work-in-the-oswestry-district-of-shropshire-the-train-is-composed-of-an-engine-three-locomotive-tenders-holding-9-12-thousand-gallons-of-water-which-have-been-converted-into-huge-water-cans-with-adjustable-jets-a-tank-truck-holding-2000-gallons-of-chemical-in-concentrated-solution-and-guards-brake-van-solution-a-six-part-of-water-to-one-part-of-weed-killer-image359615847.html This was the inspiration for my simple model. I hope this helps. Regards, Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted November 7, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 7, 2020 Thank you both. The photos of the Wolverhampton set, which is a "late" GWR set are clearer via that link ("westernthunderer") I can see there that the text is something like Empty XX Tons XX cwt Full XX Tons XX cwt On the "Western Thunderer" link there is a link to a great Pathe film of weed-killing albeit on the LMS. The photos of the Taunton set are "posed" - you wouldn't want to get that close if it were operating. There is no oil tank so this is an "early" set up. A late ( with cab) set must have been a large consist: TOAD /Mess Coach (4 or 6 wheeler perhaps)/Pump Van (FRUIT D or BLOATER size)/ 12 ton oil tank. 3 x old tenders/ TOAD And with an operating speed of 25 mph, a lot of this work must have been done at night. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillCav Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 Hi MIB, I'm wondering if there are three short bits of text after empty and full. Could be: Empty tt cc q Full tt cc q Tons, cwts and quarters like some tares are done? Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted November 8, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 8, 2020 Will, Agreed Looked at some "older" tender weights last night. Adding a tiny bit for extra steel plating, hoses, extra buffers etc to give an empty weight.....and adding a 3000 gallon load (10 lbs a gallon for water) = 13ton 8Cwt of water So I'm thinking for the 2 tenders: Empty: 18 tons 1 cwt Full: 31 tons 9 cwt And for the cabbed tender Empty: 18 tons 5 cwt Full: 31 tons 13 cwt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillCav Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 1 hour ago, M.I.B said: So I'm thinking for the 2 tenders: Empty: 18 tons 1 cwt Full: 31 tons 9 cwt And for the cabbed tender Empty: 18 tons 5 cwt Full: 31 tons 13 cwt Hi MIB, Those figures make sense - matches the weights I've got listed for 3000g tenders and the water calculation is spot on! You know what will happen though, you'll get it all finished and a photo will surface showing the writing in HD! Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted November 9, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 9, 2020 Will - just add a little more weathering on the numbers if that happens............ This was't a light goods train. 95 tons for the tenders, 2 TOADS = 32-40 tons, an oil tank full of chemicals 12 tons, a mess coach 15 tons and a FRUIT D or BLOATER with a diesel tank and pump unit in it (14 tons) All up is approximately 180 tons. Nice job for a Mogul or a Collett 2251 or a Dean Goods.............. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold phil_sutters Posted November 9, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 9, 2020 Colin Magg's 'Branchlines of Somerset' has two photos od weed-killer trains. One is of the GWR tenders including the one with the cab, a tank wagon and two goods brakes, one of which seems to have had its veranda boarded in. This was hailed by an unidentified pannier, at Wells. The other is of one with a couple of ex-LNWR tenders and assorted vans. The rear of the train is out of shot. Tis one is hauled by a 4F west of Bath on the LMR line to Bristol. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillCav Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 I've just been flicking through the book Western Region Steam Around London by Kevin McCormack ISBN 0-7110-2611-4. On page 89 is a weed killer train on 14th May 1960. It comprises of:- Pannier 9758 Old toplight bogie coach (mess?) 2 x ex ROD tenders 3500gall? Tender with cab added 2 x tank wagons BR brake van There isn't a pump van on the consist - so I'm wondering if the gubbins on the first tender is the pump on all tender based weed killer trains? Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted November 23, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 23, 2020 Will The pump on later weedkiling trains was sat in a longer wheelbase van (FRUIT D /ASMO size). Probably an allocated van with extra vents added - I'm guessing the pump was diesel powered so it would need cooling and venting, plus room for a fuel tank. A Toplight coach would have enough room for both a mess and a pump room. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillCav Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 Thanks MIB, So it looks like I need a pump van for my weed killer train (uncabbed version) - do you know of any pictures of them or other info? Thanks Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted January 26, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 26, 2021 Sorry Will - only just seen this reply. Mo early photos I'm afraid - the Taunton one is the only early GW set of photos I have seen, and it's posed - no tank of "nasty" and no Mess van nor pump van. I have a BR Blue Dapol FRUIT D to hack about and make a pump van. Add a grille or two, grey paintjob...... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillCav Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 3 hours ago, M.I.B said: Sorry Will - only just seen this reply. Mo early photos I'm afraid - the Taunton one is the only early GW set of photos I have seen, and it's posed - no tank of "nasty" and no Mess van nor pump van. I have a BR Blue Dapol FRUIT D to hack about and make a pump van. Add a grille or two, grey paintjob...... No worries MIB, I think I've seen the same photos. Looking forward to seeing your pump van Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted January 27, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 27, 2021 Just need to find some suitable louvres to add.... probably a thin brass overlay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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