Old, new, borrowed and blue ...

[maridunian]

I bought some Continental 4-wheeled 40' container flats from eBay to explore and experiment with. Although not commonplace in the UK, wagons of this type do operate specific services, such as Ford's "Channel Tunnel Express" (often called the "Blue Train"), whose 4' 8.5" wheelsets are swapped for 5' 3" sets when travelling into Spain. Leasing company STS also offered some 4-wheeled flats.

 

The wagons were a couple of old Berliner Bahn container/stake cars (Eurocontainer & CTI) and a modern Tillig Container Carrier Lgs with a 20' Hapag-Lloyd Container. I bought the old wagons from a UK seller; the new Tillig came from ds-automodelle, and cost £16.27 with P&P £6.80. I upcycled the old containers, removing the old logos on a sheet of 1200 grit emery used wet, and respraying with rattlecan enamels. Transfers were a mixture of C-Rail Intermodal (2mm) and TL-Decals (1:120).

 

 

The wagons look fine together:

 

 

... and the couplings engage:

 

 

The old wagons are a single plastic moulding, apart from couplings and wheetsets. The new wagon has a plastic chassis and a diecast platform and solebars, which gives the wagon greater weight and rigidity than its predecessors. Only the diecast part is painted, which is disappointing. It also features Kinematic (NEM) coupling units and metal axle holders:

 

 

I'll detail and weather old and new; at least one of the older ones will become a Transfesa/Ford example with the addition of siderails (connected with wheelset swapping, I believe) and side skirts.

 

The other - well, although 40' container flats are rare in the UK, 30' examples were more common, using basically the same chassis as VBA (etc) vans, and many other wagons rebuilt on ex-van chasses. They measured 33' 6"over headstocks and had a wheelbase of 20' 9".

 

By removing 13mm from the centre of an old 40' flat and 2mm from each end, I reckon you will get a chassis to suit a wide selection of UK wagons. If you're unhappy with the solebars, file/sand these down and add 10thou plasticard fascias cut to suit. Please do check my calculations before you get your own razor saws out though!

 

So what was borrowed?  Well, my 12mm (Tri-ang) track was originally laid for 3mm models!

 

Mike

 

Edited August 14, 2022 by maridunian
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[maridunian]

I've decided to hack one of my 40' flats about to make a UK outline FPA 30' container flat. As noted above, the chassis is common to the VDA van family and derivatives including OTA log wagons. 

 

Another check of my maths and out with the razor saw:

 

 

I'm keeping the existing couplings so removed the outer fillets from slightly inboard of the headstocks. 

 

Stake pockets have been removed and the sole-bars sanded lightly - more cosmetic work to come on those. 

 

Polystyrene cement joins the segments:

 

 

and after 24hours curing, deck downwards, weighted, on a flat surface, it's taking shape:

 

 

Lots of detailing to come and a 30' container to make... 

 

Mike 

Edited July 27, 2022 by maridunian
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[maridunian]

With the sole-bar channels filed out to remove traces of the stake pockets, the lower plate can be carved from the face, except over the W-irons. By attaching 20thou microstrip to the bottom of the sole-bars, the distinctive 'stepped' shape of the chassis can be represented:

 

 

New buffer beams and a little more detailing next before priming. 

 

Mike 

Edited July 28, 2022 by maridunian

[maridunian]

Something new today, the first Shapeways print of my IXA/KAA pocket-wagon in Processed White Versatile Plastic with Berliner Bahn and Tillig 20' containers aboard. 

 

 

This nylon material is very robust, so although it might need a little more finishing, it will take more knocks than Fine Detail Plastic, so is ideal for a chassis or a model facing structural challenges. 

 

The bogies are a new design and will need more fettling before I can release them. 

 

Mike 

Edited August 9, 2022 by maridunian

[maridunian]

With a first coat of primer, the surface of the KAA/IXA begins to smooth out:

 

 

Rubbed down and with details picked out, it will get better. 

 

Other items back from Shapeways include some 10' wheelbase wagon chasses, Fine Detail Plastic (left) and Versatile Plastic (right) 

 

 

a 14t tank:

 

 

and finally a GWR 1366 Class pannier tank. 

 

 

Mike 

 

Edited August 23, 2022 by maridunian

[maridunian]

Second coat of primer applied to the KAA/IXA after rubbing down with 400 Grit abrasive paper and a scalpel to scrape paint from the angles of bodyside features. 

 

 

One more rub and scrape down, a final primer coat, then it should be ready for top coat. 

 

Shapeways' Fine Detail Plastics need fewer primer coats, but for the best results, the same basic approach works well. 

 

Mike 

Edited August 23, 2022 by maridunian

[andythenorth]

@maridunian for the BSC coil carriers, Tillig have a cast Y25 that is close in pattern to the BSC axle motion bogies (not accurate, but similar): https://www.hobby-shop.cz/en/catalog/bogies/drehgestell-sw-ba-y25-(310470-11)

 

No idea about actual availability or price 😉

 

/me considering doing some actual modelling for first time in 20 years.  Been doing ‘open the box’ type collecting for last few years. 😜

[maridunian]

4 hours ago, andythenorth said:

@maridunian for the BSC coil carriers, Tillig have a cast Y25 that is close in pattern to the BSC axle motion bogies (not accurate, but similar): https://www.hobby-shop.cz/en/catalog/bogies/drehgestell-sw-ba-y25-(310470-11)

 

Thanks Andy - I'll have a look. 

 

4 hours ago, andythenorth said:

/me considering doing some actual modelling for first time in 20 years.  Been doing ‘open the box’ type collecting for last few years. 

 

Yes, I've missed the early years of N Gauge too, where you usually had to make or bodge what you wanted. We've been spoiled recently! 

 

Mike

[maridunian]

Checking https://www.hobby-shop.cz/en/catalog/bogies/drehgestell-sw-ba-y25-(310470-11) gives 96 Kč (Czech Koruna)... 

 

Wish I'd found those a bit sooner! 

 

Mike

 

 

[andythenorth]

Wonder what the shipping & taxes would be?

 

Related: where are wheels sourced? 
 

3smr have a long list https://3smr.co.uk/wheelstock.html 

Also wondering if Tillig spares are used (or Roco etc)?

[maridunian]

Hard to find UK stock eg https://www.goldenvalleyhobbies.com/search/products?page=1&keywords=Tillig+wheels&filters[]=1-TT+(1%3A120)&filters[]=3-Spares

 

The KAAs use 730mm wheels, ie 6mm in TT:120. I've drilled out some old Farish wagon wheels to fit BTTB axles! 

 

I think I'm going to persevere with my cast Y33s (and possibly cast Y25s) with NEM pockets, but l'll add the Tillig items to both bogie wagons' blurb. 

 

Thanks again 

 

Mike 

[andythenorth]

26 minutes ago, maridunian said:

Hard to find UK stock eg https://www.goldenvalleyhobbies.com/search/products?page=1&keywords=Tillig+wheels&filters[]=1-TT+(1%3A120)&filters[]=3-Spares

Thanks.

I might look into a bulk buy from Europe of wheels and bogies, unless I find an obvious UK source in the 3mm fraternity.
 

I sell stuff on eBay anyway, and I think UK TT:120 might need some pump-priming in terms of availability of basic components. I can afford to carry some stock and I don’t need to make a living at it.

 

But might be already covered by 3smr or similar. 🙂

[maridunian]

That's the two types of Y33 bogies done for my KAA/IXA/JSA wagons. 

 

https://www.shapeways.com/product/SF7LP33NY/2x-tt-120-y33-bogies

 

Mike 

[maridunian]

On 23/07/2022 at 08:19, maridunian said:

I bought some Continental 4-wheeled 40' container flats from eBay to explore and experiment with. Although not commonplace in the UK, wagons of this type do operate specific services, such as Ford's "Channel Tunnel Express" (often called the "Blue Train"), whose 4' 8.5" wheelsets are swapped for 5' 3" sets when travelling into Spain. Leasing company STS also offered some 4-wheeled flats.

 

The wagons were a couple of old Berliner Bahn container/stake cars (Eurocontainer & CTI) and a modern Tillig Container Carrier Lgs with a 20' Hapag-Lloyd Container. I bought the old wagons from a UK seller; the new Tillig came from ds-automodelle, and cost £16.27 with P&P £6.80. I upcycled the old containers, removing the old logos on a sheet of 1200 grit emery used wet, and respraying with rattlecan enamels. Transfers were a mixture of C-Rail Intermodal (2mm) and TL-Decals (1:120).

 

 

The wagons look fine together:

 

 

... and the couplings engage:

 

 

The old wagons are a single plastic moulding, apart from couplings and wheetsets. The new wagon has a plastic chassis and a diecast platform and solebars, which gives the wagon greater weight and rigidity than its predecessors. Only the diecast part is painted, which is disappointing. It also features Kinematic (NEM) coupling units and metal axle holders:

 

 

Another 'Lgs' 4 wheeled container wagon now, the Piko 57706. I got mine from 3SMR.

 

 

This is a model of a more modern design of wagon than the Tillig, with a narrower, lower deck with projecting container support spigots. 

 

The wagon body is all plastic with printing applied directly. The wheelsets are mounted in metal brackets. (Axles are 18mm long rather than 18.5mm). 

 

Kinetic NEM coupling mounts supplied, with modern 'handshake' couplings inserted. I swapped a pair between the Tillig and Piko examples for flexibility. 

 

 

Both my models have benefitted from a coat of Games Workshop Agrax Earthshade wash. 

 

Mike 

 

 

Edited August 16, 2022 by maridunian

[maridunian]

On 28/07/2022 at 17:38, maridunian said:

With the sole-bar channels filed out to remove traces of the stake pockets, the lower plate can be carved from the face, except over the W-irons. By attaching 20thou microstrip to the bottom of the sole-bars, the distinctive 'stepped' shape of the chassis can be represented:

 

 

New buffer beams and a little more detailing next before priming. 

 

Mike 

 

Progressing slowly, here's my FPA 30' container flat hack:

 

 

Brake levers to add then some weathering. Oh, and a 30' container! 

 

Mike 

Edited August 17, 2022 by maridunian

[maridunian]

On 09/08/2022 at 17:46, maridunian said:

Second coat of primer applied to the KAA/IXA after rubbing down with 400 Grit abrasive paper and a scalpel to scrape paint from the angles of bodyside features. 

 

 

One more rub and scrape down, a final primer coat, then it should be ready for top coat. 

 

Shapeways' Fine Detail Plastics need fewer primer coats, but for the best results, the same basic approach works well. 

 

Mike 

 

Last primer plus two top coats and we're ready for some markings from the spares box... 

 

 

 

My TT:120 intermodal rake is getting there! 

 

Mike 

Edited August 24, 2022 by maridunian

[maridunian]

On 08/08/2022 at 23:31, maridunian said:

 

... Other items back from Shapeways include some 10' wheelbase wagon chasses, Fine Detail Plastic (left) and Versatile Plastic (right) 

 

 

a 14t tank:

 

 

I've now finished the tank wagon, mounted on a Smooth Fine Detail Plastic chassis and made a basic plasticard deck for the Versatile Plastic chassis:

 

 

Case tractor from 'Masters of Military' on Shapeways. 

 

Mike 

[andythenorth]

These are rather nice 🙂

[maridunian]

On 08/08/2022 at 23:31, maridunian said:

and finally a GWR 1366 Class pannier tank. 

 

I finally got around to painting this body shell. 

 

 

Still some details to add and couplings, of course. (Dapol NEM pockets with Tillig couplers). 

 

The chassis shown is a 9mm gauge, 7.5mm wheeled example from N-Drive Productions. Their 12mm gauge equivalent (with 8.5mm wheels) is due in the new year, it seems. 

 

Mike 

 

Edited December 1, 2022 by maridunian

[Keith Addenbrooke]

3 hours ago, maridunian said:

I finally got around to painting this body shell. 

 

 

Still some details to add and couplings, of course. (Dapol NEM pockets with Tillig couplers). 

 

The chassis shown is a 9mm gauge, 7.5mm wheeled example from N-Drive Productions. Their 12mm gauge equivalent (with 8.5mm wheels) is due in the new year, it seems. 

 

Mike 

 

I like the finish - looks top quality in the photo.

 

Noting the chassis is currently undersized (per the caption) you also have an interesting Narrow Gauge “might have been” - the GW did run Narrow Gauge lines in Wales after all, albeit not metre gauge*.  Thanks for sharing this here - very encouraging, Keith.

 

(* 9mm at 1:120 = 1.080m)

Edited December 1, 2022 by Keith Addenbrooke