Shunting using chains

[geoff_nicholls]

Sorry, bit of a leap in thinking there, it was the radio controlled lorries I was thinking of, wondering if I could persuade my G3 chums who are also petrol heads to have a go at a tractor.
Unfortunately I'm away and can't get to Aylesbury.

 

[Osgood]

Those early shunting tractors were invariably based on Fordsons, converted by either Muir Hill or Chaseside.

 

[Osgood]

A quick look through some literature yields this view - four units supplied by Muir Hill to LNER in 1934.
The numbers suggest it will be one of these!

 

[oldravendale]

Yes, I agree. In fact my info against the pictures recognises this - to quote "There is little information available but it seems that a number of Fordson tractors (the name was derived from Henry Ford & Son) were purchased and adapted by fitting large rectangular steel plates front and rear joined by a steel beam to take the buffing forces. Co-incidentally Ford moved tractor production from Cork in Ireland to Dagenham in 1933, and the 27.3 HP model N was produced between 1929 and 1945. It seems other makes of tractor were also converted, and probably all by Muir-Hill Service Equipment (E. Boydell & Co. from 1931)."

That photo is particularly interesting - until I was given this particular photographic collection I'd never heard of shunting tractors (I lead a very sheltered life), and to see them at the factory is a wonderful thing to add to my file on this vehicle.

Oh, would that there was still one available to preserve. But some properly minded soul might decide to convert their Fordson Model N - if they learn about the alternative use.

B

 

[Osgood]

Brian, there are one or two preserved, including this vintage. Only a few years ago I drove past the entrance to a farm only a few miles away and to my amazement saw one of these, almost identical but manufactured by Chaseside on the same Standard Fordson industrial tractor, fully restored, with a FOR SALE board on it. By some miracle I managed not to stop (had I stopped I would of course have been able to nip outside and take a photo of it for you....).

Tony

 

[Osgood]

In fact here is one based on a 1950s Fordson Major which sold last year:

WEATHERILL Epping Auto-Shunter 4cylinder diesel TRACTOR An uncommon Fordson variant based on the

Edit: And here is my favourite - a Chaseside of similar vintage based on the industrial Standard skid unit:

FORDSON Standard N 4cylinder petrol/paraffin TRACTOR This industrial N has been converted to a Ch

 

[oldravendale]

Tony - thank you! At these prices they are probably a bit rich for me, much as I'd like one (and they'd probably be of considerable value to many of the heritage lines). I can think of several where a tractor of this type would be of real value in the carriage or wagon works.

This is a fascinating subject. I've seen rope shunting using capstains in the large London goods depots - and no doubt elsewhere - but was not aware about the use of chains and shunting on parallel tracks except within models until I had this description of one of Arthur Dudley's photos. Then I forgot about it!

This may be a model builder's site, but I've learned a lot about the prototype.

Brian

 

[Mike W]

Well, here's an almost correct scale Fordson

Vintage Cast Iron Fordson Toy Tractor 1:24 Scale Nice Condition | eBay

But a bit old and being cast iron probably impossible to motorise!

Mike

 

[simond]

I remember a shunting tractor on the Birkenhead docks as a kid, mid 60's. Memories are hazy. It used to be parked on the Wallasey side, near Duke St bridge, iirc. I think it may have been yellow, with chevrons.

Also found this which is rather similar to the photo on the previous page

farm tractors as shunters - Page 3 - UK Prototype Questions

Interestingly, it looks like the tyres on the front wheels are intended to serve as flanges, I wonder if it worked.

Best
Simon

 

[AJC]

Shunting tractors seem to have been quite common - one of those things that you don't notice until you start looking for them - there was, when I was commuting to Manchester about 6 years ago, a larger Muir Hill (or was it County?) 4wd conversion parked up outside Longsight depot. Going back, it's clear that one was employed at Yeovil Town to shunt the rather short, but complex, set of sidings serving the goods shed and gas works. I believe someone is producing a model of Yeovil Town in 2mm finescale: they've modelled the tractor as a working feature (of course) so you 7mm chaps have no excuse.

From the other side, pictures and video:

2mm Supermeet - 25th June 2016 - Page 2 - 2mm Finescale

2mm Supermeet - 25th June 2016 - Page 2 - 2mm Finescale

Adam

 

[JimG]

Shunting tractors seem to have been quite common - one of those things that you don't notice until you start looking for them

Our local distillery used one to deliver daily supplies of grain and coal in Dumbarton from the NB/LNE yard, across Glasgow Road to the distillery. I can't remember any details about the tractor apart from it having wooden buffer beams front and rear and the wagons being towed by rope/wire. What I do have memories of is the large rear wheels and tyres probably necessary to drive on and across ordinary timbered track between the yard and Glasgow Road. All the track in the distillery was girder track flush with the road surface. It could have been that the tractor was an Oliver, or some other heavy type.

Jim.