nicktamarensis Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Hello, On the buffers of this vehicle photographed at Cambridge in August 1952 there are square(ish) insertions made to the crown of the buffers and also one in the buffer beam/headstock. Was this for some international requirement when these wagons were used abroad by the WD or for some other UK purpose? This particular 45ton wagon was one of a batch of 60 made by Metro Cammell in 1940/1 and coded 'WD FVF' (Fighting Vehicle Flat). Photo attached. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicktamarensis Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 Slight amendment to the above - these were 50ton capacity wagons not 45ton. Apologies, Nick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim.snowdon Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 As built, these wagons were equipped with buffing and drawgear to European standards, hence screw couplings, longer buffers and side chains, although the right hand one has gone missing on the wagon in the photograph, leaving the square hole in the headstock. Quite why the hole in the buffer head is square I don't know, but the existence of the hole probably has to do with the way the buffer, which is self-contained, is assembled. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 14 hours ago, jim.snowdon said: As built, these wagons were equipped with buffing and drawgear to European standards, hence screw couplings, longer buffers and side chains, although the right hand one has gone missing on the wagon in the photograph, leaving the square hole in the headstock. Quite why the hole in the buffer head is square I don't know, but the existence of the hole probably has to do with the way the buffer, which is self-contained, is assembled. Jim If you were to scrape away the grease, might you find that the buffer holes are actually round ? ........... yes, I'd guess there's a nut or bolt head lurking in there - though if the hole IS square, it could be for spinning the whole head onto a thread ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Saunders Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Follow the link to Greg Martin's site and there is a copy of the Official photo of one of them showing the square holes in the buffers! http://www.railalbum.co.uk/railway-wagons/military/ww2-50-ton-warwell-1.htm Mark Saunders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicktamarensis Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 Many thanks gentlemen. I attach the main photo of this wagon - is it a 'Warwell' or a 'Warflat' - presumably the latter as it predates the development of the Sherman tank? In close-up of the photo the number can be read as 'FVF 45C'. The tare appears to be 8-2? Thanks again. Nick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium TheQ Posted June 3, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 3, 2019 It's not a warwell... They have a "well" in them, that is, the load bearing platform drops down between the bogies to a lower level. Those black dots on the buffers look too black, I think some one has been using a pen on the negatives.. No idea why someone would do that though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cane Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Attached is a clearer view of the same type of buffer as used on a ramp wagon and the adjacent warflat. Regards Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 59 minutes ago, TheQ said: ............. Those black dots on the buffers look too black, I think some one has been using a pen on the negatives.. No idea why someone would do that though. er ..... nope - you'd have to scratch off the emulsion and leave a blank for it to print black : even less likely ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicktamarensis Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 Thanks again gents and particularly to Tony for a closer look at the buffer - definitely a square hole! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium John Isherwood Posted June 3, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 3, 2019 4 hours ago, nicktamarensis said: In close-up of the photo the number can be read as 'FVF 45C'. The tare appears to be 8-2? Actually WD-FVF-450 ; here's another :- Copyright holder unknown. Regards, John Isherwood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Matt C Posted June 3, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 3, 2019 Just my tuppence worth, a round rod in a round hole will turn, a square rod in a square hole wont. Could it be something slotted in to extend the buffers ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium keefer Posted June 3, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 3, 2019 How about a long square rod is put in the hole to swing the buffers out (or back into place again)? Gives more leverage and you avoid getting covered in buffer grease Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim.snowdon Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 7 hours ago, keefer said: How about a long square rod is put in the hole to swing the buffers out (or back into place again)? Gives more leverage and you avoid getting covered in buffer grease It was only the buffers on the ramp wagons that could be swung out of the way, essentially to stop them carrying the weight of the wagon and load when that end was on the ground. On all the other wagons they were fixed. Jim 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 A view of the 'underside' of that swung-out buffer might give a clue ............ my GUESS is that there's a square-headed bolt passing from the square hole through the buffer head and the volute spring with a retaining nut on the rear. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim.snowdon Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 2 hours ago, Wickham Green said: A view of the 'underside' of that swung-out buffer might give a clue ............ my GUESS is that there's a square-headed bolt passing from the square hole through the buffer head and the volute spring with a retaining nut on the rear. Your guess is probably correct, as there has to some form of retention for the buffer head. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 ......... but then there are lugs top 'n' bottom and slots in the sides the purpose of which escapes me ( surely not just lubrication ! ). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 42 minutes ago, Wickham Green said: ......... but then there are lugs top 'n' bottom and slots in the sides The square hole was part of the casting/turning process. The bufferhead/shank (particularly the oval and clipped top varieties) were prevented from rotating by a drift pin and cotter inserted vertically through the combined body/shank assembly. The spring was enclosed entirely within the body hence the inspection slots. Voila P 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 4 hours ago, jim.snowdon said: Your guess is probably correct, as there has to some form of retention for the buffer head. Oleo buffer heads were/are attached to their shank/piston with single allen headed set screw. Sometimes the piston could become stuck in its body. A swift dad with a hammer was the usual first attempt at repair but it could result in the allen head shearing and the buffer head becoming a high speed discus like projectile ready to slice through anything that blocked its trajectory! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicktamarensis Posted June 4, 2019 Author Share Posted June 4, 2019 Thanks very much gents and particularly to Porcy Mane for settling the matter and providing the illuminating photo's. Nick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 I think you normally don't notice them due to the liberal amount of grease normally added to the buffer head. The Sutton Loco Works Class 24 has them. Noticeable on the version of 24 081. https://www.derbysulzers.com/kings.html Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now