Anyone for TEAs? 102t Private
Owner Bogie Tankwagons |
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| Not all
modellers interested in wagons favour super-accurate scratchbuilt models: time, money and
skills levels dictate what can be done. However, many treat with contempt the simple but
very accessible rtr products from our mainstream manufacturers. Some compromise is
necessary, which may include flexibility in the area of overall dimensions. If the
appearance of the finished model is right, then a few millimetres makes little difference. This article places the spotlight firmly on the Hornby 102t bogie tank wagon model, a feature of their catalogue for many years. Simple enhancement or complex rebuilding: the choice is yours. It's not necessary to get carried away with complex modelling when good rtr products are available for rebuilding and super detailing. Principles The Hornby model, an appraisal Length over headstocks 219mm (54'9"). Prototype 55'0". Length over buffers 232mm (58'0"). Prototype 58'0" to 58'3". Barrel diameter nominally 35mm (8'9"). Prototype 8'9". Barrel length 222mm (55'6"). Prototype 56' average. Bogie Centres 148mm (37'0"). Prototype 41'0". NOTE: Dimensions are taken from the Hornby model 1995 release and weight diagrams of a 1968 Metro Cammell build of 102t wagon. For the sake of a few mil. here and there, this model is accurate over the vital dimensions. This makes it an ideal candidate for some serious work. The most serious error is the bogie centre positions, Hornby adjusted them to accommodate existing bogie mouldings. The model is presented in a variety of oil company liveries; many of them are well researched and applied. Hornby only produces the Class A variant of the 58 foot 102t wagons typified by dished tank ends. Modellers desiring one of the slightly longer wagons of this type may extend the underframe moulding by splicing in 8mm of styrene into the middle. The bogies are fictitious, to my knowledge, resembling neither ESC1 (English Steel Cast Primary Suspension bogies) or Gloucester bogies. Instantaneous improvement to the model is wrought by replacing them. Whilst on the subject, the model rides about 2mm too high to ensure that the tension lock couplings clear the headstocks, giving the model a very top-heavy appearance. Replacement bogies means an adjustment to the ride height is possible. Small details are missing such as discharge pipes, air distributor, brake wheels and headstock detail. All of these may be sourced and added to the enhancement project. Availability of detailing componentsThe last couple of years has seen excellent components appear from several manufacturers for the detailing of all of the Hornby tankwagon models. A1-Railmatch produce tank top walkways and ladder arrangements for both 2 axle and bogie tankwagons. Etched in brass, they are fine in appearance with durability, an important feature for models used on exhibition layouts. Their fine mesh walkways are see-through, just like the prototype. However, A1-Railmatch tell me that the more modern grip texture used on walkways is not a crosshatch but a complicated shape which is almost impossible to etch accurately. |
Hornby model and roofwalks... Appleby Model Engineering (AME) produce small cast metal details suitable for all of the Hornby tankwagons include tank discharge pipes, conical tank ends, airbrake distributors and buffers. If you can get your hands on the tank barrel and underframes as a spare, then consider the use of AME ESC1 or Gloucester bogie kits. Correct paint colours are important; we need look no further than AME and Phoenix for tankwagon colours. Shell grey, BP tank green and BP solebar yellow are available in 14ml tinlets. Two manufacturers produce various brandings to finish almost any tankwagon model. Fox Transfers have invested rather a lot of money to develop everything from BP, Shell and Total Oil logos to full data panels and Hazchem patches. Modellers interested in the bitumen and Class A tanks operated by Total Oil may find packs F4925 and F4926 particularly useful. Modellers working on 1960 and 1970s prototypes will welcome the traffic stars available in pack F4920. Alternative supplies of transfers suitable for a large number of different tank wagons are available from "Lineside Look" who produce small but useful packs of tankwagon markings including hazchem panels. A mixture of all of the transfers from several manufacturers may be required to obtain just the right look for your model so don't be shy about mixing things up a little. Prototype notes The strength of the tank barrel was sufficient to justify a chassis-less design with stub solebars at each end over the bogies. A unit to support brake equipment recessed under the tank barrel links the stubs. Esso and Metro-Cammell fronted the development of prototypes in 1966 as separate projects. An Increase in the maximum permitted axleloadings to 25.5t was taken up by increasing the gross laden weight to 102t for bogie tankwagons. Construction commenced in 1967/8 with over 1000 vehicles placed traffic for Shell and BP. All of the wagons were roughly 58' in length and featured ESC1 or Gloucester bogies. In 1974, arrival of TOPS and disbanding of the joint distribution agreement between BP and Shell Mex occurred more or less at the same time. Number sequences remained constant, whilst the ownership of wagons was fragmented. By this time other similar designs had emerged measuring 60 feet in length over buffers. Enthusiasts have a tendency to confuse these with the earlier 58-foot design represented by the Hornby model. In some respects, 8mm over 232mm is nothing and with some interesting lagged and coiled tanks with continuous solebars waiting to be modelled, the compromise is often ignored. Modellers may choose from the following list of suitable 58 foot prototypes for the Hornby model: some of which only require simple work, others more complex detailing. Links & Contacts | Events | Publications |
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