Hornby TTA tank wagons

◆ GAUGE ‘OO’ ◆ MODEL Hornby R60207/8/9 TTA tank wagons, Shell grey/esso grey/bp green liveries ◆ PRICE £34.99 each ◆ AVAILABILITY Hornby stockists Web www.hornby.com

One of my personal highlights from Hornby’s 2023 announcements was an all-new TTA tank wagon. Although a TTA has been in Hornby’s range since 1973, it was eclipsed by Bachmann’s vastly superior version in the early 2000s.

Built in their thousands during the 1960s and 1970s, the 40ton glw (gross laden weight) TTA tank wagon became the standard twin-axle conveyance for petrochemical traffic. Hauled within heavy block trains, one or two TTAS could also be seen in mixed goods trains, especially during the BR Speedlink era, or in short trip freights between depots.

Emerging in the early 1960s as part of a wholesale investment in rail-borne oil traffic, these new tank wagons featured a ‘monobloc’ style tank barrel mounted atop an all-welded steel underframe with a 15ft wheelbase.

Riding on UIC double-link suspension, the wagons were assembled by a wide variety of private wagon builders and were owned by the oil companies themselves, rather than BR, along with various leasing firms. Early batches featured vacuum brakes, for haulage by steam traction and early diesel and electric types but, by 1967, BR had stipulated that all new builds should feature air brakes, which were eventually retrofitted to the entire fleet. Coded as TTA under TOPS, along with various other TTX codes, the twin-axle wagons

carried all manner of oil, petroleum and chemical traffic well into the 21st Century, eventually being superseded by high-capacity bogie tank wagons. Indeed, the last TTAS were only removed from the UK network last year.

The first production batch of Hornby’s all-new TTA arrived in late December, with all three of the initial releases kindly supplied for review. Each represents a Class A tank built in the mid-1960s, adorned with Hazchem panels listing the cargo as petroleum fuel.

At first glance, the wagons look highly impressive, with a wealth of detail evident on the tanks and chassis. There’s also a mix of single and twin access ladders, which provides some welcome variety. Closer scrutiny reveals that the catwalks, ladders and handrails are rendered in etched metal, offering an authentic see-through mesh and low-profile mounting brackets. Coupled with the detailed filling hatches and delicate panel seams in the barrel, the overall effect is excellent.

The solebars feature plenty of relief and sprung, heavy duty Oleo buffers enhance the headstocks, along with separately fitted lamp brackets and cosmetic drawhooks.

Below the frames, the chassis is festooned with discharge equipment, brake rigging, cross-shafts, safety loops, air reservoirs and valves. The brake shoes are in-line with the three-hole disc wheels, which feature a fine flange profile and turn freely on their pinpoint axles.

Although air-braked, all three TTAS are supplied with

vacuum through-pipe equipment, with hoses pre-installed to the headstocks. A detail bag provides a set of optional air hoses, plus a cosmetic tail lamp, of the

later, battery-powered BR type. Tension lock couplers are mounted into tilting NEM pockets which do not impact on the rendition of the brake gear.

In terms of finish, the Shell, Esso and BP liveries are well rendered, with accurate shades and neatly printed logos and data panels. I particularly liked the number panels fixed below the walkways of the twin-ladder versions, which consist of separate etched metal plates.

The single-ladder Esso TTA includes the smaller grab handles and etched walkway across the edge of the chassis, plus small access footsteps below the solebars. Having converted several Bachmann TTAS with etched brass parts to create this variant, it’s pleasing to now be able to buy one off-the-shelf!

Hornby has done a great job with its TTA. Moreover, all-new modern wagons have been somewhat rare from Hornby in recent years, so it’s a joy to see an important prototype given such an impressive treatment. As revealed on page 10, Hornby will be offering more versions of the TTA in 2024, including triple-packs, which are bound to prove popular. (GD)