Finding single bolster wagon for crane runner/match

[ChrisH-UK]

I need to find a match for https://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/singlebolster/e2bfb0132 to complete a Civil Engineer's crane train. As the caption says it's a 10ft underframe to Dia 1/402. I've searched Parkside, Cambrian and others for anything 10ft but I'm just not sure how suitable the options are.

 

This seems to be the closest match https://peco-uk.com/collections/metcalfe/products/br-10-foot-wagon-chassis-kit-vacuum-fitted-morton-brake but on the prototype the axleboxes appear closer to the ends. (check where the brake levers end on prototype and on model) So do I need to cut a few mm off each end or should I be looking for something else entirely?

 

Thanks

Chris H

 

 

 

[garethashenden]

That looks like the right chassis to use. The ends will need to be shortened, but that's easy enough. One thing to watch out for though when building this, the prototype was through piped, but not vacuum fitted. So you'll want vacuum hoses on the ends, but not the vacuum cylinder underneath.

[The Bigbee Line]

As the crane runner might end up as the “last wagon” they were fitted with safety chains in case they “broke away”.

[Fat Controller]

The Single-Bolsters were 15'6" over headstocks, so even shorter than the 16t mineral; it equates to 62mm in 4mm scale. Early ones had an 8' wheelbase, but the last examples (which were largely converted to Twin-Bolsters) had a 10' w.b. The original Triang range did one which scrubbed up nicely, if fitted to a cut-down Parkside underframe.

[hmrspaul]

That looks like the right chassis to use. The ends will need to be shortened, but that's easy enough. One thing to watch out for though when building this, the prototype was through piped, but not vacuum fitted. So you'll want vacuum hoses on the ends, but not the vacuum cylinder underneath.

The R at the end of the TOPS code means it has both vacuum and air brake pipes. As you say no power brake fittings.

 

As the crane runner might end up as the “last wagon” they were fitted with safety chains in case they “broke away”.

I don't think that is true in the later BR days, eg this example https://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/singlebolster/e3e8700ca

But, in this case, this is only a spacing wagon, the outer jib carrier wagon is an ex LMS long low https://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/brdrt812--/e741e28d

 

Good luck with the model Chris, if it is finished in ex works - as my photos - it will look spectacular. Derby roundhouse was the crane workshops in those days.

 

 

Paul

[ChrisH-UK]

Thanks everyone.

 

Paul, sadly I wasn't planning on it being ex-works condition, my inspiration is this photo https://rcts.zenfolio.com/rolling-stock/br/ea880c0c0

 

Should make a nice unusual train (waits for the thread to fill up with pics of people also doing the same)

 

I'm hoping to go to the Ribble Steam Railway in the next few weeks to get some photos of the crane chassis and a few other bits which means the model might actually get finished by 2025.

 

Chris H