Ian H C

Anyway, here's a question for 16 ton experts. What is the difference between diagram 1/108 and diagram 1/117? I'd always thought 1/108 was exclusively unfitted and 1/117 was fitted. According to Larkin there were fully fitted lots of both diagrams. And from photos they look identical. 

55001 Doncaster Works 17.2.80 by Paul Bettany, on Flickr

 

08757_Toton_APR79 by Martin Addison, on Flickr

 

Nwdigate Colliery by Kevin Lane, on Flickr

I grew up in Long Eaton and remember that bit of Toton. In those days you used to be able to sneak through the perimeter fence and wander around amongst rows and rows of stored 16 tonners and hoppers. Wish I'd had the gumption to own a camera back then.

Steel minerals and painting. What finish was applied to the inside of the body when new? I've seen B&W photos of brand new 16 tonners at a rolling stock exhibition (Marylebone?) taken from an elevated viewpoint that shows what appears to be a black finish inside. Not sure if that was the real production finish or just shiny black for the exhibition. I'd take a guess at some kind of black bituminous paint. any ideas?

Best drivers? Well, there's Modelu who will 3D print some excellent figures scanned from real life. and...you can even get yourself scanned and 3D printed in a scale of your choice. 

No interest in the 14xx, but there's an instant emotional response to those etched sheets. I'm becoming a sucker for complicated etched challenges. I'll cheer you on from a safe distance...

Very interested in the MOK 9F. Slaters wheels?

Here's one of life's mysteries (to me anyway). When somebody did release the bottom doors to dump the load, how did they get them locked back in position? I'm assuming somebody crawled under the wagon (when it had been moved off the coal drop - naturally, but you never know, H&S being what it was in the first half of then 20th century) and heaved the door back into position, while his mate put the locking bar and lever back. 

Here's my prototype contribution. Seen at Cottesmore last summer (I know it's a tippler - no doors at all!)..

... and here's a 7mm MMP 1/108 starting to get rusty on the Making Stuff blog...

Not wishing to subvert the thread... regarding MMP leaf springs, It is possible to make then work and have the wagon floating on the springs. I couldn't resist the challenge. Physics dictates a compromise as DJP says, but not a dramatic one. I'll post my solution on the Making Stuff blog when I get a mo. See what you think. You should be able to comment the blog.

For those wots interested I'm working through an MMP 1/108 build on the 'Making Stuff' blog. 

And if the MMP 08 appears I'll be in the queue. I'll need something to push the 1/108 around with.