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What a Wonderfull Wagon! First build of an O Gauge Kit

46444

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Whilst in Devon recently I popped into Express Way Models at the South Devon Railway. Being a member of the SDR you get a discount in the shop. Pauline the shop manager is very helpful too. Having a browse around the shop I saw one of the PECO O Gauge 16T Mineral wagon kits for sale and treated myself.

 

On getting home and opening the kit up I was impressed. Everything you need bar glue and paint is included. In this instance some PC Transfers so I've a feeling this is an old kit-though I may be wrong and PECO may have an old stock of PC Transfers. The quality of the mouldings is first class and the kit falls together almost.

 

I did deviate away from the instructions and assembed the three side panels including the doors on a plate of glass rather than individually to the floor fearing parts may not match up. Also the kit is designed for the side doors and end door to be made to open, although in this case I glued them shut.

 

One area I'm not sure on with the kit is the choice of a pressed steel tipping door on the end. I need to check the numbers included on the transfer sheet with my reference to confirm this is right. I guess Paul Bartlett may know, but I'm sure this isn't correct.

 

I blackened the wheels/buffers/three link couplings with Birchwood Casey Gun Blue then polished them. The wagon was given a coat of Halfords grey plastic primer followed by a total covering of Tamiya NATO black. Then the inside of the wagon and the sides where lightly sprayed with Tamiya Hull Red. Once all dry I used some Vallejo masking fluid to make rusty type patterns on the side of the wagon in the style of Martyn Welch's weathering technique but using acrylics rather than enamels.

 

Next up was a coat of Tamiya Japanese Army Grey to the sides of the wagon. The door end stripes, bottom door markings and the black panels were masked off and sprayed with Tamiya NATO black and Vallejo Old White.

 

Where transfers were to be placed I brushed on some Johnson's Klear and once dry applied the decals which are like HMRS Pressfix ones (I believe HMRS took over PC's range of transfers). They were applied easily though and sealed with a further coat of Klear.

 

Detail painting was carried out on the body with dry brushing using further Vallejo paints and the underframe was weathered using a mix of Tamiya NATO Black and Dark Earth. I then rubbed off the masking fluid rust patches on the side revealing a rusted metal effect. Dry brushing these patches with gun metal further enhanced them.

 

blogentry-7584-0-74860800-1363992147_thumb.jpg

 

To finish everything was brought together with a coat of Vallejo matt varnish.

 

blogentry-7584-0-03834600-1363992162_thumb.jpg

 

Overall this is an good kit to make and excellent value. I'm not sure about that pressed steel tipping door-perhaps the welded version should be included, so further clarrification may be needed on this.

 

blogentry-7584-0-41806800-1363992176_thumb.jpg

 

From a personal point of view I really enjoyed constructing the kit. The size of the wagon begins to emulate the real thing-something a 4mm/2mm wagon can't match. I'm pleased with the painting technique-something I've never tried before. I think one side is better than the other though personally. Also I should amend those bottom door markings-I think they're a bit wide.

 

I'm debating on what kit to build next be it another PECO or venture out into a Slaters or Parkside kit. Either way it will be a generic 1950's prototype so as to keep my options open.

Cheers,

 

Mark

 

As an addendum I now own a length of PECO O Gauge track and a buffer stop. Does that construe an O Gauge layout? :)

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  • RMweb Gold
bcnPete
  • RMweb Gold

You did it! ;)

 

Excellent Mark...and nicely weathered too. It's that scale thing which is addictive about 7mm.

 

I have a Slaters 20T Brake van stashed away but I know if I start it then my 2mm life will fade away...that and we have no more room for another layout at home at present without chancing my arm with my wife :O

 

Look forward to the next 7mm update...perhaps the wagon on the new scenic plank?

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  • RMweb Gold
46444
  • RMweb Gold

I think your next kit should be a toad !

 

Thanks Robin. PECO and Parkside do a TOAD. I think the PECO version would be more suitable for a Teign Valley influenced branch but I'll have to check the diagram number against the Newton allocated brake vans.

 

We shall see. The Lionheart 74xx does look good! :D

 

Then again!

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halfwit

They really do fall together don't they! I built one about 20+ years ago, still my only piece of 7mm stock.

 

For the record its a diagram 1/102 mineral.

 

Paul.

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  • RMweb Gold
46444
  • RMweb Gold

 

 

I have a Slaters 20T Brake van stashed away but I know if I start it then my 2mm life will fade away...that and we have no more room for another layout at home at present without chancing my arm with my wife :O

 

 

 

 There's a Slaters BR brake van in Welly Road Models in Northampton that's tempting but we'll wait and see I think.

 

I'm sure Easyjet would accomodate a 7mm micro on board for a modest charge! :D 

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

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D869

Nice wagon Mark.

 

Definitely the start of a slippery slope there though.

 

With regard to variations in 16 tonners there are loads of them. Even if a wagon started with a pressed steel door it might have received a welded one later on. Then there are bottom doors, top doors, pressed steel side doors, different types of brake gear, axleboxes, (probably) buffers, re-bodies in the 1970s... the list goes on.

 

The 'first half million' book says that 34085 was a diagram 1/102 built for the MoT at ROF Woolwich. I think that the pressed steel end door is (probably) OK for this as built.

 

One thing I do notice - you have double 'V' hangers (i.e. independent brakes) so you should lose the cross-shaft - it would get in the way of the bottom doors.

 

Regards, Andy

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  • RMweb Gold
gwrrob
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The Peco version is an AA3 diagram 16T and used to come with transfers for 'Kingsbridge' !

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46444
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One thing I do notice - you have double 'V' hangers (i.e. independent brakes) so you should lose the cross-shaft - it would get in the way of the bottom doors.

 

Thanks for claryfing the Diagram Number Andy (and Paul)

 

Yes, a bit of a mine field 16T minerals. This one looks like it should have a welded door and top doors too though as you say its probably right.

 

As for the 'cross shaft'-That will be rectified-Thanks for pointing it out. ;)

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

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  • RMweb Gold
46444
  • RMweb Gold

The Peco version is an AA3 diagram 16T and used to come with transfers for 'Kingsbridge' !

 

Thanks Robin. Now I wonder why you knew that! :D

 

I'll do some investigating as to the Newton ones that worked on the Morton/Teign Valley lines.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

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hmrspaul

The kit is a good representation of B34085 as photographed by Dave Larkin in May 1968, reproduced as Fig. 195 in

 

Bartlett, P., Larkin, D., Mann, T., Silsbury, R., and Ward, A. (1985) An illustrated history of BR wagons, Volume 1 published by Oxford Publishing Company, 192 pages. ISBN 0-86093-203-6

 

Although in good condition it has had most of the sides replated by that date.

 

As mentioned the bar across the brakes - which isn't in the kit

 

 

Paul Bartlett

Apologies, forgetting the plates are correct for these early minerals, it is the pig iron that needs them deelted. Another lovely model.

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  • RMweb Gold
46444
  • RMweb Gold

The kit is a good representation of B34085 as photographed by Dave Larkin in May 1968, reproduced as Fig. 195 in

 

Bartlett, P., Larkin, D., Mann, T., Silsbury, R., and Ward, A. (1985) An illustrated history of BR wagons, Volume 1 published by Oxford Publishing Company, 192 pages. ISBN 0-86093-203-6

 

Although in good condition it has had most of the sides replated by that date.

 

As mentioned the bar across the brakes - which isn't in the kit - needs to go, as do the RCH ownership plates. Other manufacturers could learn a lot from this elderly Ratio for Peco kit, expecially the way the top lip is constructed.

 

Paul Bartlett

 

Evening Paul,

 

Thankyou for the information and comments re: this kit.

 

Totally agree with you about the method of construction and the finished result.

 

Yes you've caught me out trying to be clever with the 'cross shaft' as Andy pointed out. That's why it wasn't in the kit and if I'd have thought about it I wouldn't even have put it there in the first place. 

 

I'll know next time and I'll probably build another at some point.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

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