From Miniature to BIG

https://www.blueplastictracks.org/thread...l#pid67805

The c53 packs are available as a general release along with the coaches, while the tram is exclusive to ModelRail. They are expensive but worth it, they've sold out at most retailers however TMC still had some in stock last I checked along with the o guage models of the trams for abot £320 or £400 for the sound fitted versions

Thanks for the info, but to be honest I can't see myself ever wanting one of these models.  To my eyes (and this applies to Toby also), they have never looked like a locomotive but rather a shed on wheels.  I really can't see anything that redeems this model in my opinion, it is ugly, boring and frankly an expensive shed on wheels lol!  Sorry, I don't often find things I dislike with this level of feeling, but this is one of them

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Just a mini note this time and only one picture, but look what turned up in the post today following a short eBay auction?



Yes, another one of those Croydon private owner wagons, but it is actually different to the one I already got. Can anyone tell what the difference is?!?

Your original one is no.20 and this one is no.22

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That and...I am sure positively because I can't clearly see but there is a braking system visible in the second image of the #20 wagon.

Your original one is no.20 and this one is no.22

Spot on, well done mate.  I came across it on eBay, 2nd user, but it would seem apparently OOP as the current version as you say is number 20 instead of 22.  So I grabbed it

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That and...I am sure positively because I can't clearly see but there is a braking system visible in the second image of the #20 wagon.

It's probably the angle, but they are the same including the underside as far as I know, I will check them side-by-side later though just to make sure.  With 2nd user models there is always the risk there is some damage such as something missing...

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Ok, I just checked the #22 has brakes on one side only, referring back to the pictures of #20 that is the same as can be seen in the photos of that as it only has the brake gear on one side also

It's probably due to the fact that these wagons were made to be workhorses and above all else cheap to manufacture and work to death. You'll notice though that those brakes are actually manual as there are no vacuum pipes on these wagons so no way to apply the brakes remotely

[Super]

I wonder if the only reason and way to use those brakes is like in a shunting yard the wagon is pushed off by itself and this would be the only way to prevent it from crashing into something. Only thing about my guess is that a person would have to uncouple and ride each wagon down the line.

That's a good question and I suspect it would depend on how the brakes are applied.  I would be more inclined to think they'd shunt them to where they want to park them and then apply the brakes to keep them in place maybe?

While I think of it, I received this new wagon today, again a second user one from eBay, but quite a special one as it is a limited edition from 2017. Interestingly this one has two sets of brakes, one on each side, so it would appear there are various designs out there. The other thing you'll notice about is that it was sold already weathered at the factory

[Super]

I just love these old wooden wagons and look at the bolt and plate details on the inside!!! It looks like the brakes are operated by a hand lever by a Yard Man running along side? It also looks like the brakes could be held in place by inserting a pin in that holed rod.

I agree with all of that, especially about liking these old 'coal' wagons (although they were often used to carry other goods also).  The thing I like is with the private owner models there is such variety of livery/markings.  You could almost collect just these and end up with something very special.

Probably right about the brakes, I don't see how else they could be activated.