Rail Head Treatment Trains

[159220]

I wonder is there any merit in tooling up the various modules of the RHTT which runs on FEAs which Dapol produce in both scales. I saw on the MREMag wishlist pole the RHTT featured fairly highly and I have personally made many kits of the RHTT with Dapol FEAs and have found they are rather popular with fellow modellers.

I know realistically the FEA would have to be re-tooled into the single wagon FEA-Fs - I am sure the FEA-S in GBRf and FEA-E in Freightliner would be welcomed from any re-tooling.

[Andy Dapol]

Hmm, my inner modeller says this is an interesting idea. I shall certainly consider this option although its not a trivial change due to the manufacturer of the loads.

[baister1]

If you're considering them in 00, you definitely need to look at them in N too!

[159220]

Thank you for the response. Sounds promising, could 3D printing of some of the modules help with tooling costs?

[Andy Dapol]

Injection moulding is still 'king' in terms of mass production. Although 3D techniques are catching up fast, injection still offers a superior finish, at least for now!

[Scottish-Exile]

Oh yes, please do a RHTT. I've got some class 20's that are crying out for this

[159220]

This is what I have managed to knock up in the past. Though would greatly improve with single wagon FEA-F. (and manufactured rather than kit built modules)
The institute for manufacturing in Cambridge did a wonderful talk recently on the dosen or so experimental 3D printing techniques to address the speed and quality of 3D printing, though the price would be considerably higher than tooling and injection moulding!

[JeremiahBunyan]

Outstanding work mate!

[pegleg90]

This would be a fantastic model to have in ready to run, I'd certainly buy at least a 2 car unit, probably a 3 car unit as well! Plenty of locals capable of running this!

Could even be the start of more departmental rolling stock!

[robert shrives]

My 3D print model on Broadwater junction , with Dapol EWS management train around. wagons Dapol FEA with added buffer details to make single wagons, using NEM conversion kit to mount inner coupler. Must work well train run ok and no weeds !

[159220]

That looks fantastic. I have used the S-Kits modules before, but find them time consuming and fiddly. But with a good result as you can see from my photo above. Do you sell your 3D prints through a service? Forgive me, I do not know how 3D prints sell... Of course, can easily cling onto my rake as we patiently wait for what would be a superb model from Dapol.

[DRS Crewe On A Mission]

I would really like some of the RHTT wagons.

There are plenty of suitable modern image diesel locos to run with them.

I have lots of DRS locos that would be suitable. 37s, 47s, 57s, 66s not to mention others that I would like to buy.

Would it be possible to produce all wagons/sets? As they all work in different locations and with different locos.

I would very much like these.

[JeremiahBunyan]

I wonder is there any merit in tooling up the various modules of the RHTT which runs on FEAs which Dapol produce in both scales. I saw on the MREMag wishlist pole the RHTT featured fairly highly and I have personally made many kits of the RHTT with Dapol FEAs and have found they are rather popular with fellow modellers.

I know realistically the FEA would have to be re-tooled into the single wagon FEA-Fs - I am sure the FEA-S in GBRf and FEA-E in Freightliner would be welcomed from any re-tooling.

Great suggestion, any info regarding when they entered service? Have they been around for a while or are they relatively new?

[159220]

The FEA-F were constructed in 2005 by Greenbrier (Poland), numbered 642001 to 642050, they have through wiring for multiple working (NR NDS can confirm system) and 'plumbing' for rail head application. (Originally for the 2004 season, KFA wagons with GPS bogies were used before the FEA-F were delivered).

Not to be confused with RHTT circuits using re-engineered former Avon Binliner KFA wagons recently introduced in 2013 on the Southern/Kent circuit out of Tonbridge.

There are three standard 20ft 'containerised' pallets for all RHTT FEA-F (plus the 12 KFAs). (I include links to the companies involved for further information, I am sure you have a relevant NR contact?)

Sandite Module: Built by Socofer in 2004, composed of a 1,400 litre application system (tank, plumbing and nozzle) and an 'energy system' (NR moved away from Sandite application and replaced with LNT TrackGrip 60). 2-6 litre per minute application. Not all RHTT circuits have sandite modules. Can be identified as 3Sxx if sandite is included and 3Jxx if not. See: http://www.socofer.com/modular-solutions

Water Jetting Module: Built by Woma in 2004 (second build 2013), composed of a 1,450 bar spray system including a generator unit and water jets mounted on the FEA-F (cutting rate is 10mm per 30 second at full output! Thus system automatically cuts at sub 3 mph). 90 litres per minute max. application. See: http://www.woma.uk.com/complete-systems

Water Tank Module: Built by Protran (JND/Clarke Chapman) in 2004 (second build 2013), composed of a 17,100 litre water tank. Each tank can cover c.60 miles of water jetting. Longer circuits thus have additional water tanks. See: http://www.clarkechapman.co.uk/en-GB...-product-range

Edit due to: Edited facts surrounding Sandite. NR last used in 2009. The performance of S4 Sandite limited application to a maximum of 40 mph. Also was an expensive product. TG60 allows application at 60 mph (same as Water Jetting). Again only used in areas where rail adhesion is poor.

[159220]

Just to finish the circle whole, apart from the 50 x Network Rail FEA-F Black 642001-642050 for RHTT work, efforts to re-tool the twin FEA into a single then allow many other livery possibilities.

I have stated already that Freightliner and GBRf single FEAs would be most welcomed for intermodal. Could also take one or two from the yellow batch FEA-S.

Information for anyone who wanted more than just the NR FEA-F:

66 x Freightliner FEA-E Green 641001-641066

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lereddog/8712311984/
https://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/UK...unit/i-FtNsKR2
https://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/UK...unit/i-D8K2D2S
https://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/UK...unit/i-gKgJRPc

Intended for infrastructure but significant use on intermodal and ‘binliners’.

63 x GB Railfreight FEA-S Blue 640631-640693

https://gingespotting.smugmug.com/Wa...-S/i-LBxTGVM/A
https://gingespotting.smugmug.com/Wa...-S/i-gTDnPF4/A
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ews60002/10592775424/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/16054078883/

Intended for infrastructure but significant use on intermodal and ‘binliners’.

22 x GB Railfreight/Metronet FEA-S Blue 640901-640902 and Yellow 640903-640922

https://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/16286278396/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ews60002/27291487596/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ews60002/9215588259/

Underground infrastructure, but since contract ended earlier in the year status unknown/used on intermodal. But to produce them you need to provide the flat and ‘hopper’ modules.

13 x London Underground/TfL FEA-S Yellow 640931-640943

http://www.railwaygazette.com/upload...lendplants.jpg
http://www.ontrackplant.com/photo/640936-1
http://www.ontrackplant.com/photo/640939

Underground infrastructure with track laying equipment. I need to confirm if the plan for additional wagons includes previous FEA-S design. Interesting reading here: http://www.infrastructure-intelligen...eeds-your-help

6 x Balfour Beatty FEA-D Blue 640571-640576

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lereddog/7815640106/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trevor...tt/9016982507/

Though as previously announced by Dapol with the twin Balfour Beatty FEA-D 640501-640514 which were subsequently cancelled, to produce them you need to provide the countless track laying equipment.

[Andy Dapol]

It's a shame it's not possible to 'like' comments! Well done for this & thanks - nice research.

[159220]

Thank you. I do like to have a good list of information for reference.

Is there a possible debate surrounding whether to tool a single FEA or compromise with the current FEA tooling for the RHTT? I would imagine is it not as simple as swapping slides?

Naturally I would vote for the tooling of the single. Perhaps the secondary modelling services market can create the flats and hoppers for infrastructure. Of course main interest in the FEA single is the FEA-F for the RHTTs. I cannot remember where infrastructure related models polls on the annual questionnaire, but the sleeper modules for the FEA-S and FEA-E does look neat. (Would compliment the upcoming Flangeways Salmon flats with sleepers)

Just another note. The Freightliner and GBRf/Metronet FEA-Es and FEA-Ss are owned by Eversholt with the Network Rail, London Underground and Balfour Beatty being owned privately by the companies.

Alas I cannot find any publicly accessible diagrams of the single FEA design from Greenbrier...I shall resist asking them for now! (Well I shall try to resist)

[159220]

The RHTTs have a 'high polling' status on The Wishlist Poll 2016... we are not alone! Certainly more variation on the network this year with Colas locomotives running more diagrams and there seems to be an increasing loss of 'sandite' TrackGrip 60 modules in favour of additional water tanks and just the jetting module. Potential for more than one pack, but a variation in packs on offer?

[DRS Crewe On A Mission]

I would really like to see several RHTT sets produced.

I have a lot of locos that I would like to run with them, in particularly DRS locos. With Class 68s covering some of the Yorkshire RHTTs at the moment it would be very good to re-create that scenario in model form.

I would really like the RHTT sets that operate out of York Works and Stowmarket which are operated by DRS locos.

Could some RHTT sets be produced for next autumn in time for the 2017 RHTT season?

Thank you very much in advance.

[Joel Dapol]

Thanks for the suggestion. I am not sure we couldachieve this at the moment I am afraid as we are full on with already announced items, but it it good to go on the list though.

[159220]

Sounds as if Joel Dapol is coming around to the idea of a RHTT....