rob D2 Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 Hi, I’m looking to get some models of these for the next plank. Why do some have buffers and some not ? Do they need buffer equipped at the end of each. Rake and I’m guessing only class 66 can pull these as they have knuckle couplings ? TIA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
royaloak Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 (edited) The (fixed) rakes had a buffer fitted wagon at the outer ends, they would then form up the rakes into the length of train required, then they fitted the 66s with swinghead couplers so they could attach directly to the (former) inner wagons rendering the buffer fitted (outer) wagons superfluous so rakes started to operate with the knuckle fitted wagons as the outer wagons as well, which is all welland good until it breaks down and needs assistance from the rear which can only be a knuckle fitted loco. I suppose it is 'good' that the freight sector is starting to suffer the same sort of coupling farces as the passenger railway has had to endure for years This is a very simplistic breakdown and I am sure others will be able to give you chapter and verse. Edited January 24, 2018 by royaloak 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steadfast Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 (edited) The buffer fitted wagons have swinghead buckeyes, same as a 66. I believe originally they were configured into sets with the swingheads at the outer ends to allow non 66s (or pre buckeye fitted 66s, as per royaloak's post) to haul them. However, as set lengths varied these semi permanent groups (of fives from memory?) got shuffled to give more flexibility and the sets tend to appear rather shuffled. There may be a need to put a pair of buffer fitted wagons in the centre of the set if the set needs to be split in two for loading or unloading and the terminal shunt loco doesn't have buckeye couplers. If hauled by a 60 or a 59, obviously you'd need buffer fitted at the end of the set Jo Edited January 24, 2018 by Steadfast Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted January 24, 2018 Author Share Posted January 24, 2018 Good gen guys - I guess they don't run in fixed take of 5 anymore ? I've got space for less than that, they are massive Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
royaloak Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 Good gen guys - I guess they don't run in fixed take of 5 anymore ? I've got space for less than that, they are massive I have seen locos hauling just one or two of them. I think the buffers outer was just the railways sticking to how things have been done in the past (we dont do change ), once the 66s were fitted with swingheads there was no reason DBS (EWS as was) needed to keep the buffers on the wagons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HGT1972 Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 At Celsa steelworks in Cardiff all the scrap comes in currently using rakes of MBAs. To allow the shunters to move them they use an old BRA steel carrier (outwardly the same as the BYA) that's missing a few roof sections as a 'translator vehicle' with the swing-head couplings used to couple to MBAs without buffers and hooks. A nice conversion for a Bachmann BYA perhaps and an excuse to use things other than class 66s? Hywel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Davexoc Posted January 26, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 26, 2018 Mid-rake passing Lincoln some years ago.... Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
black and decker boy Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 P1010458.JPG Mid-rake passing Lincoln some years ago.... Dave Not a bad model that ;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Saunders Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 I have seen locos hauling just one or two of them. I think the buffers outer was just the railways sticking to how things have been done in the past (we dont do change ), once the 66s were fitted with swingheads there was no reason DBS (EWS as was) needed to keep the buffers on the wagons. When built there were still plenty of 60's and other traction with just conventional drawgear still in use with EWS only the HTA's were all built from new with ixed auto couplers but some were later modified or use on traffic to Earles! The BRA/BYA were all built with swingheads from new! Mark Saunders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Martin Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 P1010458.JPG Mid-rake passing Lincoln some years ago.... Dave What had they been carrying for the interior to be that colour? They usually seem to be rust-coloured. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Saunders Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 What had they been carrying for the interior to be that colour? They usually seem to be rust-coloured. Jim That would be when they were carrying Coal as can be seen with the remains of the load! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 IIRC, when they were designed, Ed Burkhart (sp?) and Wisconsin Central had hoped to get a derogation for a 30t axle-load on designated routes, and specified the wagon size accordingly. The only loads which can fill these wagons to capacity are shredded scrap and timber; if you fill them to the top with coal or stone, they gross-out at about 120t Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Davexoc Posted January 27, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 27, 2018 That would be when they were carrying Coal as can be seen with the remains of the load! There was a flow of coal from Immingham to the cement works at Ketton and Rugby around that time, but it was usually in MEAs, so not sure what the destination was when loaded. Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 When built there were still plenty of 60's and other traction with just conventional drawgear still in use with EWS only the HTA's were all built from new with ixed auto couplers but some were later modified or use on traffic to Earles! The BRA/BYA were all built with swingheads from new! Mark Saunders Mark, agree, I think it is all too easy to overlook how historical these wagons are Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted January 28, 2018 Author Share Posted January 28, 2018 I find them fairly interesting as some of the scrap trains visit out of the normal industrial zones. Such as Swindon, Lincoln, Exeter, st blazey ( finished now ). And the scrap traffic makes for colourful wagon fillers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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