Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

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Trevor Thompson
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Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by Trevor Thompson » Thu Aug 28, 2025 3:27 pm

There is a photograph of a bogie ballast wagon on page 30/31 of the Spooner Album.

As part of my attempts to learn how to use Fusion 360 I have created the files to make a 16mm scale model of it. Note that the dimensions are not given - so there is a certain amount of estimation involved.

Here is what it looks like:
Screenshot 2025-08-28 at 10.48.00.png
Screenshot 2025-08-28 at 10.48.00.png (1.54 MiB) Viewed 30091 times
You will note that I haven't repeated all of the components where they are used multiple times, but you can get the idea of what it looks like.

The stl files I exported from Fusion 360 printed faultlessly (no stl file errors found). Here is the main body assembled from 4 half sides, two ends, and a dummy load:
IMG_4730 2.jpg
IMG_4730 2.jpg (2.47 MiB) Viewed 30091 times
Turning it over you can see the stretchers on which the bogies and couplings fit:
IMG_4731.jpg
IMG_4731.jpg (2.42 MiB) Viewed 30091 times
More to follow, and the stl files will find their way onto the files section shortly.

Trevor

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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by Trevor Thompson » Thu Aug 28, 2025 5:10 pm

The dummy load is intended to act as both a floor and a stiffener to keep the sides parallel - it's a long wagon. I am going to glue a layer of ballast onto the dummy load when everything else is finished.

The external detail such as strapping was printed separately and is bonded to the body using acetone. Remember I print everything in ABS - and the solvent glue for ABS is acetone:
IMG_4732.jpeg
IMG_4732.jpeg (2.28 MiB) Viewed 30083 times
The bogie was printed flat on the bed, upside down, and you can see that it has the slots in it for working sprung axle boxes - rather like the ones on the Cleminson Coal wagon. This time they take 10mm long 1.5mm diameter springs. One bogie body, a wheel and an axle box:
IMG_4733.jpg
IMG_4733.jpg (1.84 MiB) Viewed 30083 times
and one assembled bogie:
IMG_4734.jpg
IMG_4734.jpg (2.2 MiB) Viewed 30083 times
The components needed some fetling to get them to fit, and move freely.

Trevor
Last edited by Trevor Thompson on Wed Sep 10, 2025 5:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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StuartJ
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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by StuartJ » Thu Aug 28, 2025 9:56 pm

Looking good! Probably a bit late, but there is a drawing of these wagons in NG&IRM Review No.129

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tommygander1941
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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by tommygander1941 » Fri Aug 29, 2025 12:31 am

Looks really good! I also believe Sixteen Mills made a kit, sadly no longer available but H Jones Engineering had made a prototype so potentially a kit could come back onto the market :shock:

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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by Trevor Thompson » Sun Aug 31, 2025 9:46 am

Progress to date. The first wagon assembled:
IMG_4739.jpg
IMG_4739.jpg (2.07 MiB) Viewed 30043 times
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StuartJ
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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by StuartJ » Sat Sep 06, 2025 8:24 am

tommygander1941 wrote: Fri Aug 29, 2025 12:31 am Looks really good! I also believe Sixteen Mills made a kit, sadly no longer available but H Jones Engineering had made a prototype so potentially a kit could come back onto the market :shock:
Are Sixteen Mills no longer around?

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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by Phil.P » Sat Sep 06, 2025 11:35 am

David is still posting on FacileBook.
The webby-site is there (nothing in the store) but there is a pricelist to download, and contact details..

I would have thought there would be an announcement on the webby-site, if the business had closed?

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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by tommygander1941 » Sat Sep 06, 2025 8:56 pm

The business is still going, it's just that I thought it wasn't available although I could be wrong. I didn't know there was a downloadable list, I've been going off what's on the website.

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Old Man Aaron
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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by Old Man Aaron » Sun Sep 07, 2025 4:01 pm

Never seen these FR wagons before, nice job. :thumbup:
Regards,
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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by Heather@CVR » Fri Mar 20, 2026 9:20 am

Video of two prints of these waggons, slightly modified to run on 45mm gauge, running on the CVR.
A lovely set of files that print easily. The underframes only needed a minor adjustment to run on 45mm gauge.
Heather
Char Valley Railway, 16mm scale, 45mm gauge.

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philipy
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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by philipy » Fri Mar 20, 2026 11:34 am

They do run well, congrats to you ( and Trevor!).
You have a lovely railway, why haven't we seen more of it previously??! :D
Philip

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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by Heather@CVR » Tue Mar 24, 2026 7:31 am

Thank you. Construction of the final part of the main running loop was only completed last summer. You can see hints in the video that the building work which is completing the landscaping around this final part of the line is still in progress. When the hard landscaping is finished and the planting matures it should look rather better. More videos will appear from time to time when we hold running days or, as in this case new rolling stock needs testing. A new double Fairlie is nearing completion having been printed this winter.
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Char Valley Railway, 16mm scale, 45mm gauge.

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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by ge_rik » Tue Mar 24, 2026 8:59 am

The wagons and your railway looks great, Heather. Looking forward to seeing the Fairlie in action.

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Trevor Thompson
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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by Trevor Thompson » Wed Mar 25, 2026 9:58 am

Brilliant

Makes it worth sharing the files!

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Re: Ffestiniog Bogie Ballast Wagon

Post by Heather@CVR » Fri Mar 27, 2026 7:00 am

You are very kind. Having been tested these waggons are now being painted in the typical Heritage Waggon Group colour with black ironwork. Endon Valley Decals produce the decals specifically for these waggons. I will post a photo or two when they are finished
Heather
Char Valley Railway, 16mm scale, 45mm gauge.

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