DWWR Tipping Wagon

[KMCE]

The Vale of Avoca was a considerable source of raw mineral materials which up to the famine period 1845 – 1848, was transported to Arklow port by local manpower and horse drawn wagons.  The mines were owned / operated by Henry Hodgson who realised that the mass emigration from Ireland would reduce his ability to move ore to the port and developed the mineral railway in c. 1847/8.  This line would facility the increased output from the mines and appears wagons were horse drawn to the port in Arklow.

In 1859, Hodgson decided to sell his mineral railway to DWWR which facilitated the expansion of their network to Gorey by re-using the route of the old mineral railway, space in the valley being at a premium. 

Ovoca (Avoca) station was completed by late 1863, however it was January 1864 before DWWR started to convey ore to the wharf in Kingstown.  One of the first ore wagons to be used by DWWR was the 5’ wheel base side tipping wagon built by Metropolitan Railway Carriage & Wagon Co (MCW).  These short wagons quite distinctive and very few images remain, however in general photos of the Vale of Avoca, it is possible to catch a glimpse of them in the distance.

They can be seen in the upper Left hand corner of the attached image https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000328581

Luckily, the manufacturers drawings are still available from HRMS in the UK, and a digital copy was purchased with a view to developing a model wagon.

The wagons are quite basic with simple buffers on one end and dumb buffers (leather covered) on the other.  A steel rod ran from the chassis to the side door which allowed the door to pivot up when the wagon was tipped.  Straps were provided on both sides to old the wagon flat for normal transport operations.  In line with wagon safety, these wagons were fitted with side chains in addition to simple three link couplings.

In line with other wagons of this era, brakes or in this instance – brake is on one side only.  As these are tipping wagons, it is reasonable to assume these were coupled in one direction to facilitate unloading & thus brake levers would be on one side of the train in any given rake to allow banksmen to secure the train without recourse to crossing the train.

 

This wagon was then printed in 4mm scale to 21mm gauge.

These are very small wagons, and for context, a photo of the wagon with a €1 coin.

 

The model will be offered with limited options:

The body will include W frames, axle boxes, & springs, Brakes, & Buffers

The only options available will be:

• Drag hook
• NEM coupling pocket (OO gauge)

 

Prices:

N-Gauge: € 10

OO / P4 Gauge: €40

O-Gauge: € 80

 

All costs will be exclusive of shipping costs which can be determined at the time of sale and will be based on actual cost where applicable.

 

Hope this is of interest, and if so, please reach out by PM

Ken