Tank wagon folly…
I’m afraid my fascination with ‘Speedlink’ era 2 axle freight stock continues. Though the pages of old books, both familiar friends and new discoveries I find inspiration for new projects. Today let me introduce you to another based upon the N Gauge Society TTA kit…
The prototype here is an ICI branded tank, in service until the end of the 1980s, loaded from Runcorn. Prototype photos can be found on Paul’s website here, and whilst my model isn’t an exact recreation I’ve intended to copy the character of these distinctive wagons.
The tank body was assembled, filled and smoothed using the conical ends, to which some OO gauge buffers from the ‘bits’ box were added. I modified the ribs along the base of the tank and adding a strip of styrene to each side to rise the height and bulk of the tank. The supplied Peco under frame was exchanged for one from Coventry Rail Works, an approximation of the under tank detail was added along with the vertical posts at one end of the chassis each side. The roof walk, in the kit, isn’t quite large enough or the right pattern but there was no chance I would find anything better without going to the trouble of designing my own. This one will do!
Paint followed my usual practices, grey primer followed by Humbrol enamels applied via the airbrush. Decals are from the comprehensive sheet in the kit, sealed with satin lacquer. Weathering was first a wash and then airbrushed dirt, the result matches the photographs of the prototype on Paul’s website. Finished it joins my Albright and Wilson (also from the N Gauge Society kit) and Farish ICI and Ceiba-Geigy tanks in the ‘Speedlink’ collection.
Alongside the range of ready to run available it’s good fun building these models in the small scale. Trying to match the finesse in tooling, added detail and paint work is all part of gentle skills practice for me - and the results feel wonderful mixed in with some mindful shunting on Paxton Road. These days there are great models available out of the box, but there will always be gaps and opportunities for personalisation. Until next time more soon…
Support my work
I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any donation, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free. Alternatively, feel free to buy me a coffee.
Excellent work James, an interesting tank wagon too. I saw a similar tank at the end of it's life carrying china clay slurry, it was in a train hauled by a class 66 at Par back in 2004/2005 ( not entirely sure which year!). All four axle slurry tanks seem to have disappeared by 2006 I think. I've got a pair of N gauge society kits made for me by a friend a few years ago now, they run on a Farish POA/TTA chassis. Just back from North Devon, thoroughly enjoyed reading my copy of Compendium at leisure. Much food for thought. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom, yes, that's right - similar ones with pedestal suspension were done in OO by Rainbow through Revolution IIRC, and yes, they did see service on clay slurry! Glad you're back safe, hope you enjoyed the Compendium. Best as always, James
DeleteThere used to be a small rake of rusty four axle slurry tanks at Burngullow sidings for a while (back in the early 2000's!). I think a Cotswold rail Class 47 was used to collect them and take them to Gloucester yard on route for scrap. Food for thought after reading about abandoned coal wagons in compendium. The RS23 looks and sounds great! Just catching up with a couple of days worth of blog posts (no phone signal for two days in ND). I think my Canadian model railroading days are done but I do love those oddball locos. Take care.
ReplyDeleteFantastic - I can see that being a great project... always loved the Cotswold Rail locomotives in their slightly less than sensible silver paint!
Delete