Departmental/ Engineering

[robbostrains]

I am thinking of building a small layout depicting a small yard with ballast wagons and or engineering stock.Would like to know what types of wagons are used,1980's to late 90's era,thanks,Rob.

[alcazar]

Bogie ballast hoppers, (Sealion, Seacow), Shark ballst plough, Dogfish, Catfish, Mermaid, Borail, Clam, Limpet, Turbot, Grampus, etc etc etc, and even some old 16T minerals for spoil.

 

My list is FAR from exhaustive. I googled "Ballast/spoilwagons" because I couldn't remember the name "Grampus" and came up with a load more too.

 

An EXCELENT article ran in railway modeller ten or so years ago, about building just such a yard in 7mm scale, it was called "If Only....." and had atmosphere in abundance. It's the reason I now model in 7mm.

[Guest stuartp]

Some ideas here from an earlier thread, some pics, and some general discussion on workings.

[Pugsley]

An EXCELENT article ran in railway modeller ten or so years ago, about building just such a yard in 7mm scale, it was called "If Only....." and had atmosphere in abundance. It's the reason I now model in 7mm.

Funny you should mention that issue of RM (November 1990 BTW), because although the 'If Only' layout is much more my cup of tea, era and traction-wise, Hursley was the catalyst that sparked my interest in 7mm all those years ago. I've had to wait this long before being able to afford it!

[Ragtag]

1990 was never 20 years ago...

 

 

If you can forgive my ignorance, would you ever find a wagon of wire coils as part of an engineer's working (I'm totally clueless as to their purpose, and google hasn't turned up anything useful).

[Fat Controller]

1990 was never 20 years ago...

 

 

If you can forgive my ignorance, would you ever find a wagon of wire coils as part of an engineer's working (I'm totally clueless as to their purpose, and google hasn't turned up anything useful).

When you say 'wire coils' do you mean coils of steel wire or do you mean cable drums? I'd doubt that you'd ever see the former, but the latter were relatively common-place. They'd be either cabling for resignalling or power supply purposes, either being conveyed between central stores and depots, or being taken out on jobs. Have a look at Paul Bartlett's excellent site:-

http://gallery6801.fotopic.net/

for some inspiration.

[Donw]

Coils of wire sounds like either semaphore signal operating wire which seems too early for your layout or even earlier telephone wire for the old style telephone poles with arms.

Donw

[Ragtag]

It was the steel wire coils I was referring to, something like this: http://www.jacksonsmodels.co.uk/saxondale-4g09-steel-wire-coil-load-oaaobaoca.ir?cName=railways-saxondale-mouldings-loads-scenic-items-wagon-loads-scenic-items-00-gauge-4mm-goods-loads-00-gauge-4mm

[alcazar]

No, the above aren't strictly wire, they are known as "rod" and come from a "rod mill", most of the UK stuff being made right here in sunny Scunny. It's used by various industries for things like steel wire for strengthening vehicle tyres, and making nuts and bolts and nails.

 

A PW siding COULD have cable though, as mentioned above.

 

Pugsley: Ah yes, Hursley, perhaps THE layout of the time. Wrong era, and wrong area for me, but brilliant, nevertheless.

[robbostrains]

Thanks,plenty to go on.