In my time I have made two different types of Russell Coal containers. The first ones I did were Appleby Models Kits and they were purchased and made back in the early 90’s. The containers were resin cast and the chassis was white metal. They were very good kits and went together very well. I am not 100% sure but I think I purchased the transfers from the same source. These were used quite a lot in the days of domestic coal and I used to run the two I obtained on the back of a train made up of HEA wagons.  Hauled by a 37, they looked great.

Before the EWS enterprise service ended to Potters of Ely there was a small domestic coal company on their site. This meant that 2 or 3 Russell  container wagons usually appeared on the train about once month or so. The actual containers had changed from the original orange ones that I previously modelled and were now a new design and aluminium colour. Whether this was unpainted or coated in some way I don’t know. Along with a friend we decided to build some. A prototype was made and then mould made. We had to make the container in 5 parts and  resin cast. The chassis was far more intricate and was in about 20 pieces, luckily we had access to a casting machine at the time and we used white metal to do the casting. After assembling and painting they looked very good, although on reflection I thought the chassis was only average and modifying a RTR or kit bashing would have been a better way. The container itself was excellent. The transfers were homemade again. I used to run these wagons with VGA, VDA, OBA and ferry wagons to form a train..

Although I had seen photographs of Gunnells, I had never seen any in rural East Anglian until on one of my visits to Ely in around 2005-6.  I saw a rake on it’s way to Whitemoor Yard with ballast spoil. Well, what a diverse rake that was, many liveries and lots of detail differences, some were very clean, others were almost rust coloured. I saw this rake about six times in those years, then they stopped coming.

I took several photographs for reference and also had a good look on the wagon sites. I made the decision to build a prototype top out of plastic card of what appeared to be the most common type. Unusually I was quite happy with the result first time, I then made a mould and cast eight tops.

I had already decided I was going to use the Lima PGA as a donor and eight were purchased. After stripping them down and working out what was to be retained and what could be discarded, I cut the very tops of the hoppers off so that the right height overall was attained. After gluing the resin tops on, I then turned to the variances of the build so that I could do the same. Some differences are subtle, others more obvious.

After the rake was undercoated, I turned to liveries and tried to match liveries to variations and condition. The resin tops had flat insides and I filled this space with spoil ballast.

Another nice rake to have, and although not totally accurate, better than nothing. I found the research on these wagons fascinating and was amazed at the differences,  and have to say I think there are even more types that could be options.

Transfers were homemade.

This is another project that goes back over 20 years. On a visit to an Exhibition there was a trader selling resin tops for CO2 tanks, I am afraid I just can’t remember who, but the quality was very good. I decided to buy six tops.

I looked at the instructions when I got home and the donor wagon was suggested as the Lima PGA. At the time these were quite cheap, so I purchased six secondhand rather tatty models.

Simple conversion this, I split the wagons and discarded the hopper and glued the new tops on to the chassis, an excellent fit. This is another white barrel with orange stripe wagon that needed masking and hand painting.

The new top was excellent, but the underframe detail is still original hopper and not prototypical at all. I did add some ‘bits’  to the underframe that helped a bit, but it is all very much a compromise.

Easy project for an average model but a nice to have rake.

The lettering is again ‘letraset’.

This was another case of ‘what shall I do with my old wagons’ after an upgrade to a superior model. This time I had 6 Hornby VDA of various liveries.

About this time and only for a short period the Plasmor Block train ran through Ely instead of down the ECML. This gave me the opportunity to run another type of wagon on my layouts.

After much research I realised that the Hornby model was perhaps not the best starting point, but there was no way I was going to start taking the razor saw to Bachmann’s latest model, I continued with the Hornby. I duly razor sawed the wagons, removing the roof, the body sides and the tops of the ends. After giving them a clean up I added the new floor and the hand rails.  The hardest part of this project was to produce suitable fold down side flaps that help secure the load of blocks. I used brass wire and scenic mesh, which seemed to be about the right screen.

All were put together on the wagons. I put the side flaps on after painting the main wagon. I made these wagons about 10 years ago and they are still not quite finished. Each wagon should carry four ‘block pallet separators’ and straps for securing the load. There also seems to be a lot of residue left on the wagons after unloading, so its ripe for weathering powders. I will try to update them sometime.

A lot of work on this unfinished project and I certainly have a rare rake of wagons. I think I could have done better, especially with the Bachmann wagons as the base, I also think that loaded wagons would have been better. I have put this unfinished project on this site to show that ‘having a go’  is worth it, rather than just wondering  whether  you should attempt it.

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During a visit to Ely I saw a MOD train on its way to Dereham. The MNR being used to unload vehicles and stores for the Swanton Morley Base. Part of this train was formed of Warflats and Warwells and I was impressed with these very solid-looking wagons. Soon after my visit, sadly the traffic ceased.

I looked around the Model Trade for options on both types and I was very pleased to see that Genesis Kits did both models in whitemetal. I quickly purchased 2 Warflats  and 1 Warwell, as that was what I saw on their way to Dereham .

On arrival I inspected the kits, they were very good. Over the next few weeks I completed the project. My son made the transfers for me after a bit of research.

These wagons date back to the second world war, but they have seen many upgrades and amendments. You really need to check the specification you require for your chosen era. I believe Bachmann have announced some models two years ago, but nothing else has happened. These wagons I believe will start off with original designs with original bogies. I needed as running in 2000-5, so the Genesis ones suited my needs.

I originally saw Landrovers on the wagons on my trip to Ely and I managed to source some. I am not very good on Landrover history, so I hope they match the wagons!!

I usually run these wagons with VGA, VDA and VEA.

This project does not need any moulding or purchased extras. The Hornby TTA is again the base donor wagon. In the late eighties when I made these, the cost of second hand TTA’s were only £2 to £3, so a rake of eight was to be made.

I stripped the wagons down into chassis and barrels. I then discarded the bits that were no longer needed and set about making the new parts from plastic card. At this stage I have to admit that I did not know what the new parts were or what some of them did. This was a real case of prototype modelling based on research, drawings and photographs. Luckily the batch I was making changed very little, if at all during their life.

I then assembled the new wagons after filling some holes that were no longer required. I then painted the whole body white. Even although I had painted orange body stripes before, masking and hand painting eight wagons certainly taxed my concentration.

Again, if tackling this project today, there are much better TTA to start with as donors. But of course the rake of eight would be an expensive outlay.

The LP-gas logo’s were made with ‘letraset’ sheets.

This time, the project mirrors real life. The CBA was a variation of the HAA coal hopper. Although built to CBA spec. from new and not converted, the model would be a converted HAA.

I must point out at this stage that I used the old Hornby version of the HAA. This model has since been significantly updated and would have been a much better starting point. As I did this project over 20 years ago, I had no option.

No scratch building or moulding this time as Appleby Models did the tops to convert the HAA to a CBA. I purchased four and the project started. At this point I have to say that I do not think the conversion kit is available anymore.

The kit was very well designed and went together well with the Hornby Hopper. Plenty of photographs were available and I noted just how dirty and discoloured the prototype was.

I was considering making a prototype top for myself, so that I can increase my rake to a more prototypical set. Sadly this is now firmly on the back burner, but you never know!

Probably one of the most dangerous trains ever to run on British Railways. To give the train its proper name, it was ‘Hydrocyanic Acid 99.5% – Poison and Flammable’. Nasty stuff, carried very carefully with modified wagons and barrier vehicles, plus a brake van.

This traffic finished many years ago, I guess its on the road now – progress??

This whole train is Hornby based. Firstly the tanks are standard TTA models but with modified bodies and over-riders on the chassis. The barrier wagons are Hornby, but I can not remember which ones I used! It was only the chassis however as the actual superstructure had to be scratch built. The Brake van was a standard model made into an air braked model.

Plenty of photographs were available and this was quite a different project, and not seen very often on early 80’s layouts.

I made these wagons about 20 years ago and again if using up to date standards as base models I am sure better results could be made.

Basic modelling, but better than waiting for RTR that has never turned up or likely to.

The train comprises of 3 tanks, 2 barriers and 1 brake van.