Product Highlight: OO Scale OTA Timber Wagons

There is a long standing philosophical debate about whether or not a tree that falls in a forest where no‑one is around to hear it actually makes a sound, but if your model railway layout features a lot of trees that have already fallen then these new OTA Timber Wagons from the Bachmann Branchline range of OO Scale models are quite possibly for you.

These models depict the latter examples of OTA wagon, which were produced by converting VDA wagons and therefore feature ends that are curved along the top edge. The wagons all come with an optional decorated timber load, and there are stanchion pockets along the side of the wagon which can be used to position the removable stanchions to hold the load in place. Underneath the solebar, the wagon features moulded underframe details and brake rigging, along with NEM coupling pockets.

OTA wagons were first produced in the mid-1980s and were designed specifically for transporting loads of timber, largely from the forested areas of the the Scottish Highlands to paper mills. The wagons were initially constructed by converting pre-existing OCA and OBA wagons and originally featured square shaped ends, whilst later wagons had taller ends with angled corners. The final examples were made by converting VDA wagons and retained the ends from those wagons, therefore having curved tops. 

38-300B – BR OTA Timber Wagon BR Railfreight Red [WL]

38-301A – BR OTA Timber Wagon EWS with Load [W]

38-302A – BR OTA Timber Wagon ‘Kronospan’ Blue with Load [W]

These wagons are currently expected to arrive during the next few months, so head to the Bachmann Europe website where you can find more information. Once you’ve selected your models, get in touch with your nearest retailer to order yours!