Binnie Engineering

This article was published May 17, 2012.

a hudson skip

Binnie Engineering is another manufacture of 16mm trains, I have got in contact with during my exploration of this scale. My first found was a short note on an old website badly updated. After I first saw it, I started to search around via google if they still existed and what they did except skip wagons. After a while I discovered they were very much alive, and Peter, who is behind this company, shortly sent me my first order of 4 skips and 3 pairs of bolster wagons. My first expression when I got my package, was WOW - Roco HOe skips in 16mm scale..., cool !!

I started to assemble one of the first skips right away. This was a brease, no problems at all. Peters kits differs a bit to Cooper Craft, if I compare in that manner, that his kits are much more sturdy and suitable for outdoor use, than Coopers wagons, which are more delicat, and with tiny parts which easily can break. At the same time, I do not feel that Peter has added more plastics than needed, there are still many details small in size.

If you want to get in contact with Peter, you can reach him on peter(dot)binnie(at)btinternet(dot)com. He will also setup a website shortly, there he will present his kits. I will add his site-address here when done.

These kits are also available in 45mm gauge and even if the skip is to small for 7/8in scale you can order just the frame and wheels for scratchbuilding for a smaller price.

Hudson Skips

This was my first wagon of this type I ever put together, but I still found it very easy. The plastic is of a very good quality and easy to work with, also takes epoxy well.

Pict3126 -- here you see how I glued lead bullets into the main beam. Still there is room for more under each end. I will test it more first.
Pict3126 -- here you see how I glued lead bullets into the main beam. Still there is room for more under each end. I will test it more first.
Pict3129 -- compare
Pict3129 -- compare
Pict3134 -- assembled.
Pict3134 -- assembled.
Pict3246 -- painted.
Pict3246 -- painted.
Pict3270 -- and weathered..
Pict3270 -- and weathered..

Granite Wagon

This wagon is a bit more tricky to assemble. Don't forget to check that the wheels move freely before you glue the axleboxes in place. At first I did sand them down with fine sandpaper, but it didn't work, so I did reform axles completely with my dremel to a sharp arrow in each end. With a drop of oil inside the boxes, they finally rolled nicely, even then blowing on them actually.

Pict0009 -- No need for lead bullets under this one, it is heavy in itself.
Pict0009 -- No need for lead bullets under this one, it is heavy in itself.
Pict0001 -- compare with the others
Pict0001 -- compare with the others
Pict0041 -- painted.
Pict0041 -- painted.
Pict0043 -- a bit from above
Pict0043 -- a bit from above
Pict0052 -- from the side
Pict0052 -- from the side
Pict0069 -- on the desk while second wagon gets assembled
Pict0069 -- on the desk while second wagon gets assembled
Pict0077 -- second done, ready for the paintshop
Pict0077 -- second done, ready for the paintshop
Pict0079 -- second painted
Pict0079 -- second painted
Pict0093 -- closeup
Pict0093 -- closeup
Pict0095 -- above
Pict0095 -- above
Pict0091 -- side
Pict0091 -- side
Pict0103 -- birds view
Pict0103 -- birds view

Slate wagon

Binnie's slate wagon, LB diamond frame bogie and some fun personal variations on the Hudson skip frames. The prototype for this wagon is the wooden type from Festiniog rwy.

Pict0289 -- assembled.
Pict0289 -- assembled.
Pict0290 -- painted.
Pict0290 -- painted.
Pict0295 -- compare with the others.
Pict0295 -- compare with the others.

Lynton and Barnstable

LB diamond frame bogie. I have not weathered it completely, will do first when I know what to put on top.

Pict0304 -- heres whats included in the kit.
Pict0304 -- heres whats included in the kit.
Pict0308 -- test fitting first bogie.
Pict0308 -- test fitting first bogie.
Pict0311 -- first done but still only paint on the wheels.
Pict0311 -- first done but still only paint on the wheels.
Pict0320 -- both done and painted, but will wait with weathering until wagon is done.
Pict0320 -- both done and painted, but will wait with weathering until wagon is done.

Standard hudson Skip

Pict0278 -- Top left an unopened kit, to the right an assembled and inbetween one laid out with all details included.
Pict0278 -- Top left an unopened kit, to the right an assembled and inbetween one laid out with all details included.
Pict0281 -- Bottom left you see the colours I used. I used a rather hard brush and by purpose only painted the blue once and let the black shine thrue on some places. The rest brown shades was used to get the rust.
Pict0281 -- Bottom left you see the colours I used. I used a rather hard brush and by purpose only painted the blue once and let the black shine thrue on some places. The rest brown shades was used to get the rust.
Pict0306
Pict0306

Mine Bucket

This bucket is from Binnie also, I only added some strips to make it look more appealing.

Pict0314 -- evergreen plastic stripes
Pict0314 -- evergreen plastic stripes
Pict0324 -- painted and done
Pict0324 -- painted and done
Pict0328 -- a bit more from above
Pict0328 -- a bit more from above

Fuel Wagon

In good Roy C Link style (but in 19mm scale), I made a fuel wagon out of a Hudson frame, some plastic pipe from my local hardware store and some plasticard and strips from evergreen..

Pict0329 -- here I am gluing fuel drums. Its just simple plastic pipe from my local hardware store
Pict0329 -- here I am gluing fuel drums. Its just simple plastic pipe from my local hardware store
Pict0332 -- both ends in place, made by plasticard from evergreen.
Pict0332 -- both ends in place, made by plasticard from evergreen.
Pict0346 -- now it starts to look like real drums, one on the frame for testing, the rest is waiting for stripes to dry
Pict0346 -- now it starts to look like real drums, one on the frame for testing, the rest is waiting for stripes to dry
Pict0360 -- All drums are done, time for the frames to get some attention
Pict0360 -- All drums are done, time for the frames to get some attention
Pict0373 -- Almost done, time for the paint shop
Pict0373 -- Almost done, time for the paint shop
Pict0384 -- Painted, only weathering and labels remains!
Pict0384 -- Painted, only weathering and labels remains!
Pict0401 -- Weathering done, labels is next.
Pict0401 -- Weathering done, labels is next.

Peat Wagon

In good Roy C Link style (but in 19mm scale), I made a peat wagon out of a Hudson frame, some plastic net from my local flower shop and some plasticard and strips from evergreen..

Pict0383 -- just some fun with plasticard and plastic net from my local flower shop
Pict0383 -- just some fun with plasticard and plastic net from my local flower shop
Pict0395 -- Halfdone
Pict0395 -- Halfdone
Pict0405 -- Painted
Pict0405 -- Painted
Pict0413 -- Weathered.
Pict0413 -- Weathered.

Flat Wagon

Just something to put cans and tools on...

Pict0408 -- Painted.
Pict0408 -- Painted.
Pict0427 -- Weathered.
Pict0427 -- Weathered.
Pict0428 -- Weathered with load and man.
Pict0428 -- Weathered with load and man.