RUBBISH! or HOW TO MAKE LITTLE TINS FROM BIGGER TINS
by Peter Harris
One feature which has always been missing from the slate yard of the Bettws-y-Bryn Quarry is a means of transporting rock from the working face to the mill. Depending on the size of the shattered rock, two different sorts of wagon were used for this purpose. For large blocks, Slab-trollies were used. Stuart Baker has already started to make several. As a result, I decided to produce some examples of the other type, which are known as Rubbish wagons.
The wagon depicted in the drawing was found on the Oakeley Quarry Co. premises in Blaenau Ffestiniog. A quick sketch was made, and some photographs were taken. It seems to be a fairly typical example, although various detail differences exist between batches - Boyd's F.R. History has a plate which shows several versions.
The prototype had 1ft.3ins. diameter double-flanged wheels - in common with most quarry "wagonry". However, even the all-powerful Colin Binnie has yet to produce a practical mould for this sort of wheel. In order to ease negotiation of Merioneth pointwork (i.e. to make it possible !), the model is fitted with ordinary single-flanged wheels. It seems that only Rhosydd Quarry has this type of wheel, everybody else obviously had equally ghastly trackwork!
Construction of both the prototype and the model is equally simple - and very cheap! The first stage if to collect enough empty tins, one normal-size tin provides sufficient tin-plate for one wagon body. The easiest method to make the bodywork is to fold it up from one sheet of tin - this cuts out three soldered seams. Once the tin-plate has been marked out, the excess can be cut off. The positions of the rivets are then marked on the sides and end and these are embossed with a riveting tool, prior to folding up the body. After the body has been folded up, both sides are then soldered to the end. Two strips of tin-plate about 3mm x 10mm are next cut from the scrap. Small loops are formed at one end of each strip, soldered, and then both are soldered to the underside of the floor on the centreline at either end of the wagon, loop outermost. These are the coupling fixings. This completes the tin-bashing!. The final stage is to add the strapping detail, which is made from an Addressograph plate, suitably cut to size, rivet detail embossed and a taper filed on the upper end of each strap (see drawing). These details are glued into position with epoxy-resin.
The bodywork is now ready for painting. I use Duplicolour red oxide primer to give a good base coat. This is over-sprayed with grey primer, taking care to spray only lightly in order to give a good weathered appearance. The underframe construction then begins. Ordinary deal stripwood is used, glued together with Evo-Stick "resin W". As on the prototype, two frame spacers are located at the axle centrelines. When the joints have dried, the underframe is stained with Colron "Dark Brown" wood-dye. Axles are then cut from 3/32nd steel rod, axle boxes threaded on, and the wheels force-fitted to 28mm back-to-back. The wheels/axle box assembly is then glued in place with epoxy-resin. When dry, the axle boxes are drilled and pinned for additional security. Weathering can now be undertaken on the chassis in the manner detailed above.
The chassis is secured to the body by pins and glue, taking care to ensure that the whole sits squarely on the track. Couplings, comprising one loop and a hook, are affixed to each end. The wagon is now complete, apart from the load of crushed slate.
Total cost of six wagons - about £1.50p. Who says 16mm modelling costs a fortune ?
The wagon depicted in the drawing was found on the Oakeley Quarry Co. premises in Blaenau Ffestiniog. A quick sketch was made, and some photographs were taken. It seems to be a fairly typical example, although various detail differences exist between batches - Boyd's F.R. History has a plate which shows several versions.
The prototype had 1ft.3ins. diameter double-flanged wheels - in common with most quarry "wagonry". However, even the all-powerful Colin Binnie has yet to produce a practical mould for this sort of wheel. In order to ease negotiation of Merioneth pointwork (i.e. to make it possible !), the model is fitted with ordinary single-flanged wheels. It seems that only Rhosydd Quarry has this type of wheel, everybody else obviously had equally ghastly trackwork!
Construction of both the prototype and the model is equally simple - and very cheap! The first stage if to collect enough empty tins, one normal-size tin provides sufficient tin-plate for one wagon body. The easiest method to make the bodywork is to fold it up from one sheet of tin - this cuts out three soldered seams. Once the tin-plate has been marked out, the excess can be cut off. The positions of the rivets are then marked on the sides and end and these are embossed with a riveting tool, prior to folding up the body. After the body has been folded up, both sides are then soldered to the end. Two strips of tin-plate about 3mm x 10mm are next cut from the scrap. Small loops are formed at one end of each strip, soldered, and then both are soldered to the underside of the floor on the centreline at either end of the wagon, loop outermost. These are the coupling fixings. This completes the tin-bashing!. The final stage is to add the strapping detail, which is made from an Addressograph plate, suitably cut to size, rivet detail embossed and a taper filed on the upper end of each strap (see drawing). These details are glued into position with epoxy-resin.
The bodywork is now ready for painting. I use Duplicolour red oxide primer to give a good base coat. This is over-sprayed with grey primer, taking care to spray only lightly in order to give a good weathered appearance. The underframe construction then begins. Ordinary deal stripwood is used, glued together with Evo-Stick "resin W". As on the prototype, two frame spacers are located at the axle centrelines. When the joints have dried, the underframe is stained with Colron "Dark Brown" wood-dye. Axles are then cut from 3/32nd steel rod, axle boxes threaded on, and the wheels force-fitted to 28mm back-to-back. The wheels/axle box assembly is then glued in place with epoxy-resin. When dry, the axle boxes are drilled and pinned for additional security. Weathering can now be undertaken on the chassis in the manner detailed above.
The chassis is secured to the body by pins and glue, taking care to ensure that the whole sits squarely on the track. Couplings, comprising one loop and a hook, are affixed to each end. The wagon is now complete, apart from the load of crushed slate.
Total cost of six wagons - about £1.50p. Who says 16mm modelling costs a fortune ?
