4mm Polsarrett: BR(S) N Cornwall Clay, The Final Countdown

Mark offers to make wagons - phew!

Mark F

Western Thunderer
Yes, it never ceases to amaze me the skills you gain building trainsets. Challenges abound on this 100% self build project. I really should think about wagons and couplings at some point.
If I can be of any help with the wagon readying just let me know. Remind me, what's the plan for couplings?
 

Eltel

Active Member
All the bits I've built for the layout have been based around putting it up on my own. So the method is:
  • Set up main trestle legs
  • Add the horizontal beams
  • Place layout on the beams
  • Place fiddle on the new legs, offer up to main board, clamp in place
  • Repeat for the other fiddle
  • Plug in electrics
  • Add drapes (velcro)
  • Place stock on cassettes
  • Drive
Sorted.

Here's the layout up with the extra legs knocked up today:
View attachment 158276

The new legs just sandwich one of the fiddle cross members, friction fit, no bolts. Better still no bounce when heavy pasties are added.

View attachment 158277

The best bit is that everything fits together with no bolts. Should save time at shows, setting up and braking down.

Oh, and there's drapes in kit form...
View attachment 158278
I do have a fallback thanks to Mark, some borrowed drapes should I run out of time...
Hi Chris
What date is the 2022 Taunton RMWEB
Eltel
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
In searching for bits and transfers to finish off the clay wagons I came across this kit from Cambrian:

rps20220324_210919.jpg

The blurb on the webpage mentions they were used for clay traffic. Not a wagon type I've noticed before, can anyone shed any light?
 

AJC

Western Thunderer
In searching for bits and transfers to finish off the clay wagons I came across this kit from Cambrian:

View attachment 158906

The blurb on the webpage mentions they were used for clay traffic. Not a wagon type I've noticed before, can anyone shed any

Well there were ex-PO types used for China Clay (Slaters did a kit for the 1907 spec’ version), so a 1923 spec’ version is probable but this is a gap in my knowledge! What length were the GWR and BR ones? I should remember, but can’t off the top of my head.

Adam
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
Well there were ex-PO types used for China Clay (Slaters did a kit for the 1907 spec’ version), so a 1923 spec’ version is probable but this is a gap in my knowledge! What length were the GWR and BR ones? I should remember, but can’t off the top of my head.

Adam

Hi Adam, 16' rings a bell for the ex GW and BR ones.
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
So, clay wagons...

Parkside do the GW O13 which comes with DC brakes. Looks like there's much opportunity to amend this to reflect mods in later service to 4 shoe Morton (independent and not). Not every wagon had tiebars which is interesting.

The Ratio 1/051 is the BRised O13 but the downside for me is that the axleboxes are the later roller bearing type. I think these were added for longer distance clayliner traffic along with the famous hood tarps? Needs backdating though for sleepy North Cornwall.

In RTR there's the Bachmann 1/051, which I have had 2 donated to me. The body looks reasonable but the underframe isn't a patch on the kits. It also has the roller bearing axle boxes. Mark thinks it's best to bin the underframe and go for parkside replacements.

The eventual aim is to have two 5-wagon rakes. One with tarps representing outgoing traffic and one being empty with the tarps folded up inside.

Transfers from CCT and Railtek have been ordered and are enroute to the Staffordshire wagon works.
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
I know Andy York is having a battle royale with the RMweb provider at the moment and the site is down. One thing I have noticed though, is just how much useful prototype info is on there.

Just about every search I do for info on clay wagons gives me multiple links to that forum, none of which are accessible at the moment. I know for certain there's detailed threads on there with answers to all the questions I have on O13s, 1/051s and mods to RTR.

Fingers crossed it will get fixed shortly and the ongoing speed issues get resolved.

So this is a roundabout sort of way to say, if you have any info on wagons for clay traffic in the late 50s, please shout up.
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
Did Damian have any clay wagons on St Blazey? Obviously they would need re-wheeling/gauging.
I think they were later period hoods with the roller bearings and Tops codes. Not sure what stock he still has.

Edit. Think that might have been the clayliner train he had for BCB. From memory DitD was all bogie and long wheelbase stock.
 
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ullypug

Western Thunderer
On Wheal Elizabeth I had two rakes of open wagons, 013’s which I got from Colin Ashby and Ratio 1/051s. I replaced axles boxes with MJT oil boxes on both. Both had flat sheets. The Bachman ones do have the roller bearings. Other opens were used but it depended on what they were being used for. The end tippers were for Fowey but other were used for other routes, bagged clay or casks. There are some good photos in the BR WR wagon load books by Russell.
 

matto21

Western Thunderer
Cool. I bought a few of the Ratio wagons for my (stalled) China Clay micro layout. Nice little kit and I enjoyed building the one I finished.

Would have offered to help with yours if I'd spotted your post sooner!
 
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