Gravel Loads for Wagons....

[JRinTawa]

Remaining on the tangent 8| Here is my little FBL hauling 6 Binnie skips up a 1:50 incline! But the changes I've made may help. While still on track power I removed the pickup skates, they seemed to be acting as brakes on the little light loco, on reflection perhaps just removing a turn or two of the springs to reduce the pressure on the skates may have worked too and retained the extra pickups, but the two FBL I did it on di run better for removing the skates. The Binnie skips are fitted with Tenmille metal wheels running in Brandbright brass bearings. The loco now uses batter power there being 2xAA batteries in each of the last 4 skips and a Revolution reciever in the first skip. So it's not the lightest load but the loco handles it with easy. I hope that helps

Drifting back on topic And my loads have been done in a more or less similar fashion, some of the sand we used for ballast glued with diluted PVA. I did use a rectangle of styrene as a lid over the batteries etc though, with an initial layer of ballast glued to the styrene with black silicon.

 

[Tim Brien]

When the Thomas troublesome trucks were released I went to the trouble to make several 'masters' for varying coal loads. I intended making them for resale but it seemed the venture would have failed as interest was minimal for 'drop in' loads. I even started an eBay name specifically to market the loads.

I have numerous LGB foam starter set boxes. The foam is very high quality and cuts with a clean edge with minimal crumbling of the cut edge. It can be sanded to a smooth finish. As per others description, I lined the inner part of the waggon with several layers of clear cling film. I then cut the LGB foam to a neat fit. Kitty litter was then placed to desired height and 50/50 mix of pva and water with a drop of dishwashing liquid added to break down surface tension gently poured over the 'gravel'. Periodically, I would add further glue/water mix until happy with result. After several days the 'load' was removed and excess liquid drained away. The load was then reinserted and given a few more days to cure. The use of the foam ensures the load is not 'top heavy'. Painted black or left the kitty litter colour, the end result was excellent.

 

[Zerogee]

Thanks Tim, that's pretty close to what I thought about doing - don't suppose you have any pics to share, either of the finished results or (even better) of the process of making them?

Jon.

 

[Willem WDLS]

Thanks Tim, that's pretty close to what I thought about doing - don't suppose you have any pics to share, either of the finished results or (even better) of the process of making them?

Jon.

As Tim is using the same method I use (although I use other foam and no cat litter), I'll post some pictures today

 

[Tim Brien]

Jon,
alas when I attempt to do a response, I do not have the 'attach' link on the third line of action response icons. Thus, unfortunately, I am unable to include photographs in my responses.
I also, early last year made additional loads such as pitched tarpaulins and the tent-shaped salt waggon superstructure to further enhance the Thomas truck range. I also made some drum and crate loads which were covered to represent tarped loads protected from the elements. These also were to be made for possible sale but alas, as stated earlier, I could not attract any interest and decided the substantial financial outlay required, the venture was doomed to fail.

 

[Willem WDLS]

Tim,

When you want to post a reply, you're in the "Quick reply" box, it does not contain the third bar to add pictures. BUT, if you click on "Open Full Version", you'll get a pop-up window where the third bar is visible.

 

[Tim Brien]

Unfortunately, I do not have the 'attach' link icon in the 'open full version' response box. As stated, the third line of 'action' icons does not have the 'attach' icon on it, so I do not have the facility to post photographs in responses.

 

[Willem WDLS]

Unfortunately, I do not have the 'attach' link icon in the 'open full version' response box. As stated, the third line of 'action' icons does not have the 'attach' icon on it, so I do not have the facility to post photographs in responses.

Weird. Perhaps one of the moderators doesn't like you?
Maybe they have a solution though..:callme:

 

[tramcar trev]

I'm wondering why if one wants a load of coal why one does not simply use the real thing???? Its easy to crush up and does look real.....

 

[Gizzy]

I'm wondering why if one wants a load of coal why one does not simply use the real thing???? Its easy to crush up and does look real.....

Good point! And it's often done for locos?

However, it is heavier than the kit lid for a larger load....

 

[Willem WDLS]

My method:

This is how it looks afterwards:

Things I've learned from this one: first spray paint the foam black, instead of leaving it in his original green colour.