EWS Open Wagon

[Guest nzflyer]

I'm keen to start the challenge of building a micro 'OO' gauge modern image layout saving as much space and money as possible. As I've found the range of models in my part of New Zealand few and far between (not to mention expensive) my best chance at a realistic shunting operation is to model a few short rakes of Hornby EWS Open Wagons. However I have no prototype information on this type at all, and can find no images. The TOPS codes printed on the sides are the same ones for the 'Seacow' hoppers (YBG) which doesn't help, and what's more I have no clue what loads they carried or role they served (departmental, mineral, scrap etc). I'd love to see them behind a EWS Class 56 but I'm afraid that I have no clue where to start. You'll find below a link to a photo of such a model. Any help is welcomed!

 

https://hattonsimages.blob.core.windows.net/products/R6372_1017118_Qty1_1.jpg

[Mark Saunders]

This is their Railroad mineral wagon and is the Triang/Hornby version of the RCH 20 ton steel mineral, it is best left in the box at the Toy Shop!

 

The wagon it is based on never lived past the early 1970's on the main line!

 

Mark Saunders

[Guest nzflyer]

Do you think you could model it as a condemned rake of wagons? Maybe a scrap line?

[Rivercider]

Back in June there was a thread about these wagons in the Railroad range

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/100121-Hornby-railroad-ews-coal-truck-prototype-question/

 

 

cheers

[JDW]

As above, they are awful models - nay, toys - and best avoided if you can!  I saw an advert in one of the mags recently for 3-packs of the older (Railroad) version of the HAA MGR coal wagons for a good price (R6606 I think), not much more than the cost of those EWS wagons, can't remember where from, I have Pennine Models in my head as the shop concerned, but could be miles off, and don't have the magazine to hand.  Otherwise, shopping around will find you some good cheap deals, even if you have to buy in ones and twos - I just found a LoadHaul "ZDA"/"Rudd" for £8.95 new, for example, and for similar money I'd take two of those over three of the EWS open wagons any day!  Likewise, a quick eBay search found me 4 EWS OCA wagons for £30 + £10p&p - at £10 a wagon, thats a very fair price.  I know you're on a budget but give it a year or two, and I think you'll be pleased you spent a bit more per wagon, and have a smaller fleet of good ones, than a large but poor fleet.  I never spend much or buy lots of them, yet they seem to breed quickly, and now I have way more than I can fit on the layout!

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EWS-OCA-Wagons-x4-/231742326264?hash=item35f4eb45f8:g:UrYAAOSwgQ9V6yuq

 

 

And this seller: 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EWS-OCA-Wagons-x4-/231742326264?hash=item35f4eb45f8:g:UrYAAOSwgQ9V6yuq

despite getting a panning over on the Ebay Madness thread for high pricing of some supposedly "Rare!" and valuable items, often has packs of 3 or four wagons for sale at reasonable prices.

 

Likewise, you could do worse than 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-RAKE-of-3-BR-SAA-DEPARTMENTAL-GREY-STEEL-CARRIER-WAGON-40119-ne-/371453842756?hash=item567c5fd544:g:OCsAAOSw4HVWDXAR

 

And any of the above would look far better behind a big modern loco such as a 56 than some tiny short wheelbase 1950s wagons too.

 

*Edit to add - The livery on the LoadHaul "Rudd" is wrong, though, as the orange ends are angled the wrong way, which I'd guess is why I've seen one or two cheap ones floating around - still far better than the EWS opens though!