009 Society Members Forum

Modelling => Rolling stock => Topic started by: 9396CLAS on June 15, 2025, 10:51

Title: Ffestiniog Slate Wagons
Post by: 9396CLAS on June 15, 2025, 10:51
Has there been a review of Ffestiniog slate wagon kits in OO9 magazine? I thought I had seen one, but can't find it now.
If not any views on which ones to buy?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Ffestiniog Slate Wagons
Post by: JulienW on June 15, 2025, 17:25
There's an index starting with 2001 on the Society's website:

https://www.009society.com/news/009-news/

However it is not searchable so you'll need to go through them year by year...
Title: Re: Ffestiniog Slate Wagons
Post by: Terry Mowles on June 16, 2025, 00:12
If you're using a PC and one of the usual (most common) browsers, you can search a webpage by holding the CTRL key and pushing the F key (then let them go).

A box will open in the browser, either at the top of the screen or the bottom - type your search term in to the box and press enter, if it exists it will show how many times and also highlight it on the page.

Yes, you will have to do this on each seperate page.

I don't use a mobile/pad type device for the 'net, but I suspect there will be something similar available on them too.
Title: Re: Ffestiniog Slate Wagons
Post by: Terry Mowles on June 16, 2025, 00:30
Rather than edit my previous post, you can search the 009 News index using the search box at the bottom of the page.

Put "009 news index" and then the what you are searching for in the search box - include the apostrophes around the first part eg "009 news index" slate

There are two articles entitled Slate Wagon Survey (in May and June 2021 issues of The News) that might be of use in a general sense.
Title: Re: Ffestiniog Slate Wagons
Post by: 9396CLAS on June 16, 2025, 09:48
Thank you, that is useful, I also now know how to search for other topics.

Anyone have experience of these wagons?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265358514663?itmmeta=01JXVYG00H2F77D3XZFB96VVQZ&hash=item3dc89999e7:g:ncAAAOSw~IViuIFR
Title: Re: Ffestiniog Slate Wagons
Post by: JulienW on June 16, 2025, 09:52
Not directly but several West Midlands Group members have purchased other Nigel Brooks' prints and commented favourably on them.
Title: Re: Ffestiniog Slate Wagons
Post by: Graeme Dunbar on June 16, 2025, 11:24
Likewise. I don't have those wagons, but I'm pleased with the other 3D prints by Nigel Brooks that I do have.

Check the prices on his own web page. There may be a bit of a saving by avoiding eBay fees. (Just checked - there is.)

https://www.brooks3dmodels.com/#FRS2T
Title: Re: Ffestiniog Slate Wagons
Post by: 9396CLAS on June 17, 2025, 09:05
Thanks, I've ordered some, plus some 'sub-standard' ones to add to the engine shed & goods yard area.
Title: Re: Ffestiniog Slate Wagons
Post by: B.Meldon on June 17, 2025, 13:38
Quote from: 9396CLAS on June 16, 2025, 09:48Thank you, that is useful, I also now know how to search for other topics.

Anyone have experience of these wagons?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265358514663?itmmeta=01JXVYG00H2F77D3XZFB96VVQZ&hash=item3dc89999e7:g:ncAAAOSw~IViuIFR

Yes. They are very good.
 
One of the three main issues with all slate wagons in 009 is the couplings. If you use normal Egger/Bemo or even Greenwich couplings on each slate wagon the gaps are too large between each vehicle. If you use chain links then these just jam up when pushing the wagons causing them to de-rail. I needed to be able to push a train of slate wagons through Peco 9 inch (1970's electroifrog) points.  I used the wagons in a fixed rake of five wagons with Egger/Bemo type couplings on the end wagons and then the link couplings supplied with the wagons fixed to one wahgon then on a pin in the next wagon, if I remember I will take a couple of photos.
The next issue is a lack of weight, that again can cause issues when pushing a train of wagons. I added a thin section of lead out of sight under each wagon.
The other issue with many slate wagons in 009 is that the wheelbase is too short that again when pushing them will make them turn to one side on the track and de-rail. These FR wagons have a longer wheelbase so do not have this issue.