The humble slate wagon was an obvious choice to accompany the Quarry Hunslet locomotives as part of Bachmann Narrow Gauge’s NG7 launch range, however we’ve gone a step further and modelled not only the basket wagons used to transport finished slates, but the flat beds and coal wagons too. Based on those wagons used at Dinorwic Quarry in North Wales, the coal wagons were used much like the slate basket wagons to move dressed slate, but with their enclosed sides, they could also be used to move coal.

The Dinorwic Quarry was once the world’s second largest slate quarry and vast narrow gauge railway networks were employed to move materials around the site and then on to transhipment points. Dressed slates which were ready to leave the quarry would be moved around the site and to transhipment yards and docks in enclosed wagons – those with basket-sides and fully enclosed wagons like these. To reach Port Dinorwic, the loaded wagons were themselves loaded onto transporter wagons and carried for much of the journey on the famous 4ft gauge Padarn Railway. On the return journey, these wagons would be loaded with coal from the port which was then taken back to the quarry where it fuelled machinery and the railway locomotives.

These new Bachmann Narrow Gauge NG7 models feature a diecast chassis, fitted with authentic curved-spoke wheels and incorporating NEM coupling pockets, with a choice of two couplings – a simple hook and loop to offer discreet coupling within a train formation and our new chopper couplings to couple to locomotives equipped with the same. Fitted to the chassis is an injection moulded body capturing the unique appearance of these wagons, with engraved plank detail on the deck. Included with every wagon is a Scenecraft coal load, with an optional pack of slate loads also available separately to allow both workings to and from the port to be modelled.

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Narrow Gauge NG7 Scale
• Era 2
• Pristine Red livery
• Supplied with Coal Load
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Supplied with ‘Hook and Loop’ Couplings and Chopper Couplings
• Length 43mm