Can you get them in model form.

hi again,

I am just wondering if you can get weedkiller trains in model form. I have read that a range of locos were used but just wondering if the coaches or tankers come ready to run. From what I've read they were converted from cement and oil tankers and various coaches were used. I suppose you have to respray the livery if the stock doesn't come in the weed killer liveries.  

It would just be an interesting train to have.

Connor

I know the Southern used some old tenders as tankers in steam days.

A few pics of various coaches and tankers for weed killing/weed killing train can be found here :

http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/fisonsweedkiller

Cheers, Gary.

Hi Connor
 
I am sure that Kernow model centre sold a weed killer coach. I have looked up on line and found a Bachmann part number:
39-000P Bachmann Weed killer Coach
I am not sure whether this was a commission for Kernow, what era it was, but you could give them a call. An alternative, if you do not wish to convert yourself, would be to research the item, purchase the relevant rolling stock and get someone like TMC to re-spray it for you?
 
Hope this is some help.
Bob

Kernow MRC did indeed commission Bachmann to produce a weedkiller train exclusive to them which was released and sold in separate units over a period of several years.

32-027X was a pair of Hunslet-Barclay liveried class 20 locos 20901/4
37-575L was a set of four tankers to convey weedkilling fluids
39-000P is two modified carriages numbered 99016/7

The era is 21st Century.

Only 39-000P remains in stock at Kernow MRC.  For the others you might get lucky via online auction sites or second-hand sources but they proved extremely popular and I haven't noticed any coming up after-market.

Hi Connor
The Sydney Tram Museum has a unit that was used to clean weeds from the Sydney tram routes before they were ripped up. From memory it operated on gas and burnt off the weeds rather than chemical spraying.
Cheers
Andrew

Hi Connor,

If you are still interested in the weed killer trains, I have just purchased a magazine with a 7 page article (with photos) about these trains, the Chipman Weedkiller in particular. The magazine is 'Modeller Yearbook', from the publisher of Rail Express Modeller. This magazine is currently available at newsagents now (in Australia).

If you can't obtain a copy, let me know.

Cheers, Gary.

 

Railway Modeller, September issue 1990 had a article called "Here comes the weedkiller!" Examples of the trains that the Big Four ran that were still in use in the 1960's. They also did a follow on article in the October 1990 issue.

The GWR train for example consisted of three ex loco tenders, a tanker wagon and 20T Brake Van and lots of connecting pipework! A few Ebay purchases and a bit of kitbashing it should be possible to knock up a fair representation.

PM me with your email address if you would like a copy of the article.

Hi Gary,

I saw that article in that very magazine you are talking about, it was very helpful but there is still the delema of getting the stuff for n gauge. I could probably get all the essential products but would have to re-spray the whole train into the correct livery plus scratch build the spray coach and get all the hoses onto the whole train. All in all it would be quite challenging to do in OO let alone N but not impossible though.

Cheers Connor

Hi again.
I have just seen that Graham Farish are going to bring out a weed killing train in n gauge! ready to run. I just hope one of the two class 20's is a dummy otherwise the price for the train will be very high.

Connor