First look: Decorated samples of Dapol 'Turbot' wagons

Dapol has shared a video showing decorated samples of its forthcoming OO gauge and O gauge YCV 'Turbot' wagons. Expected to arrive with retailers this summer, the specification of its OO gauge wagons remains unchanged as per its initial batch of the wagons. These feature a plastic body and underframe detail over a die-cast chassis, with sprung buffers, profiled and blackened wheels with pin-point axles and NEM couplings.

A detailed body with separately moulded side doors and stanchions will allow modellers to modify the wagons, if desired. An interior floor, door and stanchion details, plus a door balance spring and arm detailing feature, with finely-moulded and etched stainless steel detail where applicable. Separate handrails, end steps and lamp brackets, with detailed underframe bracing are also present. An accessory pack is to be supplied with models, containing buffer beam pipes, a working ‘Instanter’ coupling and an NEM-compatible drawbar.

Its all-new O gauge wagons boast a slightly higher level specification, owing to their size. Their features are largely the same as above, but working instanter couplings in place of the NEM sockets add greater realism.

The Turbot bogie ballast wagon was a development from the earlier Bogie Bolster E wagon, which was manufactured in the 1960s and was intended for the transfer of steel. The wagon, however, after a number of years in use was found to be too short for the continuation of its intended role, but it was found that if a low-sided three door body was added, this new wagon would be suitable for transporting ballast as a low-cost replacement for ageing vacuum-braked two-axle engineer's stock. The wagon was nicknamed 'Turbot' and was TOPS classified as YCV bogie ballast wagon. Over 1,000 'Turbot' wagons were rebuilt by BR Shildon and RFS Engineering at Doncaster between 1982 and 1988 and continued into service until the end of vacuum-braked services in 2002. 'Turbot' wagons have also been modified for use by London Underground.

For more information about these wagons, or for current pricing and availability, contact your local Dapol stockist.