Ballast Bins

[Blink Bonny]

Like most of us, I've never taken much notice of the chippings bins used by PW gangs in the past when our railways were maintained, rather than being left to rot before "major investment" is needed. Merit have made round ones for some years now but I must confess that I've never actually seen a round one - rather they've been sort of rectangular and concrete.

My own pictures reveal that even the GWR, that paragon of ingnoring best practice elsewhere, used square ones, at least around Minffordd.

So - are there any PW types out there who can enlghten me? Being a tight Yorkshireman I'm unwilling to spend good money (How much?? ) or waste time building something that turns out to be wrong.

For info, I'm building a model based on the Somerset and Dorset circa 1960. Oh, and its a branch line terminus.

[Bryan]

Every bin I have seen in Yorkshire and the North East has been squared.
Never seen a round one.

[2512silverfox]

Peter Hall of the LNER Study Group did a definitive drawing of the LNER Ballast bins back in the 70's. I can find out if it is still available.

[manna]

G'Day Gents

The LNER ones I remember were, roughly 6x4 by 2' high and concrete, but I have seen them made out of redundant sleepers, for a dare, once I sat (hid) in one by the Hertford branch flyover, back in the early 60's and let an express pass me, I'm pretty sure it was D o Canada, the noise was incredible, the ground shook, and being so close...scary What a view, though !

manna

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

Many thanks for that, Manna. Just the detail I needed.

Pass the plasticard. Thanks.

And as for the view of the streak: I had something similar while balanced on a rickety drystone wall south of Shipley. When 46229 "Duchess of Hamilton" thundered past I decided to get down sharpish. Problem was, the only safe rapid descent was on the trackside. The engine went by around 2-3 feet in front of my nose. A bit scary but how better to enjoy the sight and sound of a big 'un working hard?

[simonh]

Roxey Mouldings sell a whitemetal kit for LNER ballast bins, also platelayers hut:

http://www.roxeymouldings.co.uk/store_f ... 873de502a2

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

Maaaarvelous! I'd never have thought about that meself. Thanks, simonh

[52D]

Is this what you have in mind? Pic just North of Berwick circa 1967.

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

Only perfect, 52D.

Thanks to all who have helped on this. A plasticard engineering wonder is about to be born. Watch "On my workbench..."

[R. pike]

BIN, CHIP..

[52D]

Well BB with the help of Mr Pike and my pic we expect a ballast bin soon.

[Bryan]

Looks like one of the standard products of York Concrete works then.

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

Dunno if the York Concrete Works products ever penetrated North Somerset but, if they didn't, history is about to change.

Once again, many thanks to all who helped.

Is there any subject "we" don't know something about?

[52D]

BB a more appropriate ballast bin pic, 60957 and Archibald Sturrock have a crew change at Riccarton Junction. Looks like Archies fireman is desparate.
Note the forth vehicle behind the V2 as recent discussions on modelling a conflat.

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

I've got a few coaches to rebogie - old Kitmasters but the original bogies are too brittle to do anything with - then I'll get after this ballast bin.

Why Kitmasters? Well, if they're good enough for Roy Jackson....