Blue Circle, Castle Cement, Rugby, STS

Designed in France by CFMF, some 79 wagons were built between 1980 and 1985 in three batches, to design codes PC017a, PC017b and PC017c. Fitted with air brakes these wagons were designed for a 60mph maximum speed and have a gross laden weight of 50.75 tonnes. Loading is through twin hatches with a single outlet for gravity or air pressure discharge. All were built on behalf of Storage and Transport Systems who subsequently sold the first batch of 12 to Blue Circle Cement. The second batch joined the spot hire fleet whilst the third were hired to Rugby Cement.

The three batches were very similar with minor differences to the roof walk way, the first batch having a continuos rounded ladder whilst the remainder feature two steps. The second and third batches are clasp shoe braked in contrast to the first which were disc braked. Otherwise few differences between wagons are visible.. Over the years there have been minor modifications to the discharge pipework with the gravity discharge apparatus being removed from the Castle wagons and replacement pressure discharge control apparatus fitted.

The Blue circle owned wagons were used on flows for various workings including to and from Eastgate, Hope, Northfleet and Oxewellmains, Swanscomb and Aberdeen. Today these wagons are used to transport fly ash to Oxewellmains near Edinburgh. The second batch were hired to a number of companies and were seen nationwide in the familiar light grey STS livery. Photographic evidence shows single or small groups of wagons at diverse places including Aberdeen, Barry, Hoo Junction, Severn Tunnel and Westbury. The third batch were hired to Rugby cement for use between Halling and Southampton. After a period in store all the second and third batch vehicles were refurbished by Marcroft Engineering in the late 90's on behalf of Caib. These wagons are now used in rakes for the Castle Cement Ketton Kings Cross cement flow.

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this wagon click Wizard Models.

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Our PCA wagon kit is uses an epoxy resin tank body with white metal underframe, consisting of solebars, headstocks, floor plate; hopper, pipework and valve detailing pieces. White metal buffers suitable for springing with steel heads and springs are supplied. The wagon is designed to use a Bill Bedford design etched brass suspension which is provided. The roof walkway and ladders are also etched brass. The kit includes a fully detailed instruction sheet with drawings as required. To download the most recent assembly instructions, current Version 4.03 released September 2007, 4 Sides A4 (115kb pdf file).

To read the instructions you will need Adobe Acrobat reader (v3.01 or better). Click 'Get Acrobat Reader' to get a copy of Acrobat Reader: Note this may involve a long download of between 0.5 Mb & 8 Mb depending on the selected version.

Reviews of this model may be found:
Rail Express, Modeller Supplement number 2, P9, Rail Express Issue 96
"51L Models French-built PCA est tres bien" see Rail Express for details

Model Rail, Number 68, P40-41, June 2004
"Solid cement Wagon"

Items required to complete the model:-

• Wheels: 12mm diameter plain disc wheels or 12mm disc brake wheels.
• Instanter link couplings
• Paint - we recommend Precision Paint or in some cases Humbrol Acrylic.
• Transfers/decals. A range of 51L transfers for the pre Castle Cement liveries and Blue Circle is now available. To purchase see Wizard Models. Castle Cement transfers are available from Fox Transfers, ask for sheets F 4123/10, F4123/11 and F4123/12.

Paint, wheels and transfers are available from our sister company Wizard Models.

Information on modern image rolling stock components may be found here.

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Modern Private Owner Wagons, D Ratcliffe, P28, 30, 32
Private Owner Wagon Fleet, Gardner, P14, 15, 39, 40, 56
Railways in Profile No10: British Railway Private Owner Wagons Vol 2, G Gamble, P25
Private Owner Wagons , Vol1 , Marshall, P39,40,74
Working Wagons Vol4, 1985-1992, D Larkin, P58
Modern Railways in Profile Series No2: British Railway Air Braked stock, Tom Smith, P50-52

Wagons on the Web
Paul Bartlett's site
Huw Millington's site
Paul Harrison's site

A list of railway book sellers may be found here.

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