The new Tal 963 swing roof self-unloader from Minitrix

In late autumn 2023, Minitrix delivered a set as a one-off series with four Tal 963 swing-roof self-unloaders (#18271). This is a new design of a standard freight wagon in N gauge. The wagons are labeled in Era IV and look as if they all came fresh from the AW. All cars have two platforms and type 931 bogies. The relationship to the Fad 167 (OOtz 50) can be seen on the chassis. The opening roof is reproduced, although in the original it can only be opened to one side. The wagons were built for all types of moisture-sensitive goods, such as: B. lime, coke or potash, but not for food such as grain.

Example

At the end of the 1950s, the DB experimented with self-unloading wagons with an opening roof. In 1959, a small series of 40 cars of the new type KKt 62 were put into service. The wagons proved their worth in operation, so this type was purchased. By 1966, 228 cars were put into service. Through further replicas and conversions, around 440 cars were purchased by 1972. In 1967 the cars were given the new designation Tad 963, which was changed to Tal 963 at the end of the 80s. The car itself weighed 24.3 t and had a loading space of 71.5 m³. It could be loaded with a maximum of 55.5 t. The four side flaps could be opened individually. They were opened with a thumb wave. The car was ideal for unloading in underground bunkers. The handwheel for opening the roof was located on the head with the stands. The loading hatch on the opened roof was 1.2 m wide and could be used over the vehicle's length of 10.26 m.

Model

As already mentioned, the car is a completely new design for the mhi (Märklin dealer initiative), which will certainly be followed by variants at a later date. The costs of developing the cars are expected to be amortized later. The car has the same dimensions as the OOtz 50, the classic coal or ore car that first appeared in 1967. Structurally, it has a similar structure. The car weighs 23 g, the same as its cousin, the OOtz 50. Only the casing has been changed. Views of the car follow.

You can clearly see the work the designers have put into the car. He did well. Only in some cars the platform does not sit horizontally on the buffers, but is not noticeable in the train.

The cars have the numbers 31 80 566 3 370-8, 566 3 373-4, 566 3 276-9 and   566 3 384-1. The numbers are fine, they were valid from the beginning of the 80s. Lt. The lettering on the cars has a revision date of 1983/84. All cars are based at the Fürstenhausen station (Saarland). There was a coking plant in Fürstenhausen that was supplied with coal from the Warndt mine. The wagons were used to transport the coke. The coking plant itself was in operation from 1959 to 1991.

In the test on the club facility, the cars were not unpleasantly noticeable: no unintentional uncoupling, no derailment. The cars themselves are kept to scale. In short: there was nothing to complain about.

Use on model railways

It can be used universally as a standard freight car: ideally in block trains with around 12 cars, pulled by a diesel locomotive from the 216, 218 or 290 series. The model railway enthusiast has a large selection here. Used individually does not make much sense unless the customer has an underground bunker for unloading. Of course, you can also put individual wagons (now as empty wagons) in each freight train. There are many options.

Conclusion

A standard freight car was produced here and saw the light of day in the N-Bahn world for the first time. What calls for variants are dirty cars. Most of the pictures show the car in potash traffic and these cars have dirty white walls. It would be good if Minitrix could also bring this variant. Trains that have carriages fresh from the AW, mixed with dirty carriages, are quite impressive. What could also be done would be to present the car as KKt 62. The set costs €175 RRP, which is just under €44 per car, a very ambitious price in my opinion for a car that cost just 7 DM (€3.50) in 1967...

Klaus Kosack

Literature:

St. Carstens/ H.U. Servant, freight wagons, Vol. 2 - Covered wagons - special designs, Nuremberg 1989
BZA Minden, DV 939d, freight car. January 1967 edition
H. J. Obermayer/ J. Deppmeyer, DB freight car, Augsburg 1994