Tmc/bachmann BR 24.5t Mineral Wagon
◆ GAUGE ‘OO’ ◆ MODEL Tmc/bachmann BR 24.5t mineral wagons ◆ PRICE £29.95 each, £59.90 twin-pack
◆ AVAILABILITY The Model Centre (TMC) Tel 01947 899125 Web www.themodelcentre.com
Coal wagons: they’re all the same aren’t they? It’s fair to say that, looking at British Railways’ designs there is, at the very least, a strong family resemblance between the different steel-bodied types. These new 24.5t minerals from The Model Centre (TMC), are a case in point.
The models under review are produced by Bachmann for an exclusive release by TMC, covering the 24.5t mineral wagons built to BR Diagrams 1/115 and 1/118. Available as single or twin packs, the models come in two different body styles as well as various other underframe detail options, which will be explained in due course.
Looking briefly at the prototype, well over 3,000 of these wagons were built, first appearing in 1953, and examples lasted in service until 1982. The wagons were always unfitted, carrying the light grey livery throughout their lives, and featuring manual brakes only. Therefore, they were always accompanied by a brake van. While perusing prototype images, it appears that they were mainly associated with block trains running from specific collieries to power stations and steel works. Indeed, the wagons were often given markings to this effect, as captured on most of TMC’S models. In later years, there were some body modifications, but they fall outside the scope of this review and these specific products.
Typical traction seems to have been EX-LMS ‘8Fs’ or BR ‘9Fs’, while in diesel days, pairs of Class 20s or a Class 45 appear to have been common, judging by contemporary photographs. The 24.5 ton load was, in 1953, the nominal maximum for a twin-axle wagon and the wagon’s tall height meant that they couldn’t be used universally through all collieries, despite their similar appearance to 21t mineral wagons. This accounts for the yellow triangles applied on the bodysides, which were an easy indicator for railway and colliery staff that this was a 24.5t wagon rather than the smaller 21t version.
THE MODELS
Ten different wagons have been produced in TMC’S initial batch, reflecting the variations common to the main unmodified fleet. Initial impressions are very favourable – the wagons are well finished and well assembled. All key dimensions match published reference data. Apart from buffer types, axleboxes and door stops, each chassis is identical. Three types of buffers are featured on these models: original spindle shafts, as fitted to the first Dia. 1/115 wagons and two different Oleo or ‘self-contained’ types, as fitted to the later Dia. 1/118 vehicles. All three buffer types look the part and, although not sprung, the metal bufferheads are finely rendered.
The brake gear is well captured with an effective
compromise between finesse and robustness. The brake shoes are in line with the wheel treads, while both the wheels and axles are blackened, which is a welcome touch. The models weigh in at 30g apiece, in line with other similar products. Under test, our samples ran smoothly, with the couplings working consistently on second radius Set-track curves and through Peco Streamline Code 75 Bullhead track and points.
Another nice touch is the addition of a bag of cosmetic Instanter couplings, which are supplied with each wagon. While they can’t be fitted with the tension locks in place, they’re ideal for static models when posed in a siding perhaps (remember, the wagons need to run with a brake van for authenticity).
Two body versions are available, one with pressed steel side doors and the other with welded fabricated doors. Dimensionally, they are identical apart from the differing door types. The body sides are commendably thin, chains and locking pins are replicated and the top doors are also shown in relief on the internal face of the wagons. There are also fine wire grab handles fitted to the end doors, for extra finesse.
Some wagons come with single or double door spring stops and there’s also a choice of original oil or later roller bearing axleboxes. The team at TMC informed us that they have worked from copious prototype images, to get detail and livery combinations correct for each wagon. This includes the odd modification. For example, wagons B281982 and B281146 (from pack 38-928Z) were part of the first batches of Dia. 1/115 wagons, originally built with oil axleboxes, but have been modelled with roller bearing ‘boxes and single door stops, as observed in photographs from the late 1960s/early 1970s. TMC also stated that its research showed examples of 24.5t wagons working in areas far removed from the branding applied to their bodysides, so their use was fairly widespread.
The paint finish is of a very high quality and all printed detail is sharp, legible and opaque. The ‘unfitted’ BR grey looks a little dark to my eye, compared to prototype images, although the paintwork often faded when the wagons were working ‘in the field’. Interestingly, three different shades have been employed for the wagon interiors, across the whole range of models, tallying with the various build batches, showing an impressive attention to detail. Builder’s plates are printed on the chassis frames, with the running numbers matching those on the body. Across the range, the various era markings are represented from the earliest 1953 livery to the later MEO TOPS codes, rendered in a hand-painted style, which is most effective.
TMC can also supply any of these wagons in a high-quality weathered finish and there’s even an option of having them loaded with authentic coal loads. See TMC’S website for full details. In summary, these wagons are a useful addition to the mix of RTR mineral wagons and represent an important type that bridged the gap between traditional small wagon coal trains and the development of the ubiquitous MGR fleet. For the quality provided they represent good value which, perhaps, could be enhanced if they were available in bulk packs to reflect their typical use, as well as singles or twin-packs. (PMP)
Interestingly, three different shades have been employed for the wagon interiors, across the whole range of models, tallying with the various build batches