Today’s talk on tarpaulins and wagon loads was led by Ross who got us under way talking about different methods of modelling tarpaulins. Some people used paper, some masking tape and Rob even suggested the domestically dangerous method of using your wife’s silk scarf. Ross also demonstrated a method of adding lettering to a tarpaulin. This used
plastic letters dipped in paint and then pressed on to the tarpaulin to leave a print of the letter. We went on to discuss how ropes and chains securing tarpaulins should be modelled. Moving on to wagon loads Ross spoke about prefabricated line side huts and tool sheds being transported by wagon to their destination and being dropped off onto their pre-prepared concrete bases.
We then went round the table with people talking through the examples of wagon loads they had brought in. Rob had brought in a number of wagons with various loads; coal of course, timber, sacks, stone and even some pit props which had been quite happily growing in his garden until Rob had taken his secateurs to them. Tim spoke about the different loads to be seen on his brewery layout and the different processes used in real life on the beer barrels. These had included apparently the employment of Irish sniffer ladies to detect bacteria in the barrels!
Graham talked us through the various loads on those wagons he had brought in including steel coils, packing cases, anchors and a windlass. Graham had a BR Conflat container in a mineral wagon and confounded the sceptics who queried the prototypical exactitude of this arrangement by producing a photo of a real life example.
Bill had brought in an example of a folded up tarpaulin he had in an empty wagon. I had some wagons with coal, barrels and acid carboys as well as bricks and other building materials while Roger had some bogie bolsters and low loaders. Loads on these included some steel plate, a Bedford camper van, a Scorpion tank (courtesy of Stuart H) and loads of long lengths of pipe and of steels.
As usual David Ho kept us all supplied with teas and coffees until after a very enjoyable chat on all the different loads we set off for home. Chris
Many thanks to Ross for supplying the photos for the newsletter each month.
