Wagon Loads Part 3 - Lowmacs and Containers
Entry posted by wiggoforgold
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Looking back through my blog entries I realise there’s quite a lot involving wagons. I like wagons. In recent years there have been quite a few nice rtr wagons. I’ve had a few , and no doubt will get some more. However, converting or improving an older model, or building a kit allows me to put something of myself into a wagon model. Plastic kits are inexpensive, and a number of my models use older models, many of which can be obtained second hand for a modest price. They don’t even have to be complete. The sheeted GW open in the previous blog entry has a damaged side, which is invisible under the tarpaulin. Part of the fun of making models like this is by taking something in a fictional livery, for example the old Airfix “Golden Syrup” van, and making it into something more realistic.
Lowmacs
I’ve got a couple of lowmacs. The first, carrying a JCB, is made from the Dapol kit, purchased in the days when the Lowmac and JCB were packaged together. I think the Dapol kit represents a Great Eastern prototype. The only departures from the kit were the substitution of Slaters’ metal buffer heads for the moulded buffer heads in the kit, and an element of 3 point compensation has been introduced by opening out the axle boxes at one end, and mounting the wheel set so that the axle bears on a wire pivot above the centre of the axle.
The second lowmac is from the Airfix/Hornby rtr model. New wheels and buffers were fitted, and the original moulded clasp brakes cut off. My model awaits the fitting of replacements. The load bed was rebuilt with a piece of plastic, scribed to look like planking, and a piece of lead stuck underneath to add ballast. It’s loaded with an Oxford Diecast tractor. I added some plastic strips to the floor to represent baulks used in packing, and I intend to make securing chains from fine chain fitted to securing rings in the load bed.
Containers
There’s a variety of containers available, and the following are pictures of a few. Some of mine aren’t in use as wagon loads, but have found new employment.
BR Type A
This is a Cambrian kit. It’s not loaded on a wagon, but is in use as a store in the coal yard.
BR Type B
This is a Parkside kit. It’s loaded on an exLMS 3 plank wagon, made from a Bachmann body on a Parkside LMS fitted chassis.
GW Furniture Container
This is an Airfix rtr model. The wagon is a detailed Airfix conflat A, which was later produced by Bachmann.
Insulated Container
I don’t use one of these, but I’ve included a picture to show what is available.
Cement Container
This was made by Triang, about 45 years ago. It was a nice little model for its time, although the moulded raised lettering is a bit dated. They came in sets of 3, loaded on a representation of a Conflat L, which was too short and too high. Here’s a challenge for the rtr manufactures – how about an up to date Conflat L, which could be finished as a shunting runner to go with the Bachmann 03?
Right – its back to fitting couplings. I hope I’ve given some ideas for a bit of variety in wagon loads.
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