Hatton’s ICI hopper
Hatton’s has commissioned Oxford to produce these long-lived hoppers.
Few British freight wagons have enjoyed longer careers and have been hauled by a greater variety of traction than the famous ICI bogie limestone hoppers. They were introduced by the LMS in 1936 and, until the beginning of the 21st century, they had carried millions of tons of Derbyshire limestone from the Peak District to ICI soda ash plants in Cheshire. Originally worked by LMS ‘4F’ 0-6-0s and ‘8F’ 2-8-0s, they were later hauled by BR ‘9Fs’ and diesels of Class 24/25, Metrovick Co-bos, Class 40, 45 and 47 and in later years Class 20s and refurbished Railfreight Class 37/5s based at Buxton. They were among the first wagons to be used in fully braked ‘block’ trains running point-to-point between origin and destination, eliminating the inefficiencies of traditional small capacity wagonload operation routed via various marshalling yards. The ICI hoppers were also instantly recognisable to staff and enthusiasts alike, being so much larger than conventional freight wagons of the 1930s. In many ways, they were the forerunner of modern freight wagons and the block trains that now monopolise the movement of bulk freight. Charles Roberts of Wakefield built 152 between 1936 and 1953.
LIFE-EXPIRED
However, by the late-1990s they were regarded as life-expired. A plan to fit new bogies and air brakes to further prolong their lives was rejected in favour of replacement by new and cascaded hoppers and the fleet was gradually run down until the final workings took place in late December 1997. Fortunately, six wagons survived to be surveyed by Hatton’s and Oxford Rail as the basis of a new family of models depicting the ICI hoppers throughout their 60-year career. No fewer than 20 versions are planned, covering original LMS mid-grey, 1950s to 1973 transition era ‘battleship grey’ and post-1973 condition with
TOPS computer codes (PHV) and data panels. Pristine and weathered versions with several numbers for each era will allow modellers to assemble authentically numbered trains with numerous detail variations between wagons.
CLEAN DEBUT
Weathered models will follow later in the year (pre-production versions look extremely impressive), but the first models to arrive are the pristine examples, including the two 1950s to 1973 models shown here. ICI003A depicts pre-war No. 3274 in reasonably original condition with diamond frame bogies, while ICI003B features No. 3301 with the replacement plateback bogies that allowed capacity to be increased from 43.5t to 47t in later years. Oxford has captured the robust North American styling, along with an impressive level of detail throughout. The extensively riveted underframes and hopper bodies really look the part but there’s no less detail underneath, thanks to the superb open frames and hopper discharge door details. Vacuum brake equipment, ownership plates, end strengthening braces and door controls are all separately fitted items, adding to the overall quality feel. The two types of bogies are also well modelled and feature free-running metal pin-point axles and tyres with plastic three-hole wheel centres. Couplings are in NEM pockets on flexible plastic mounts; my only criticism of the model is the use of Oxford’s standard over-length tension lock couplers, which push the wagons some distance apart. Otherwise, Hatton’s has played a blinder with these models, producing superb-looking wagons with excellent decoration and detail at a very attractive price. Look out for lots of bulk limestone trains appearing on a layout near you soon!
Vacuum brake equipment, ownership plates, end strengthening braces and door controls are all separately fitted items, adding to the overall quality feel