GWR Diag U9 Composite Coach

[RosiesBoss]

Disclaimer

 

This article describes the construction of a “cheap and cheerful” model, approximating the actual U9 coach. “Rivet counters” need read no further!

 

Introduction

 

Diag. U9 composite coaches were mid-19^th century 6-wheeled vehicles which were introduced in 1876. Some would have finished service on various branch lines. Most (if not all) would have disappeared by the early 1930s (Ref.5).

 

I have been gathering a few older design coaches, as may have been found on ex-Cambrian Railways lines, so as to be able to put together a passenger train representative of those running in the late 1920s to early 1930s period, as illustrated in Ref.2.

 

These include:

Diag. U28 luggage compo No.6873 (ancient K’s whitemetal kit):

 

Diag. D15 brake 3^rd No.2864 (see Ref.7):

 

Ex-CR Composite No.6324 (see Ref.8):

 

I also had some assembled Ratio 4-wheelers:

 

 

Diag. C10 clerestory 3^rd  No.3015 (kitbashed from two Tri-ang brake 3rds):

 

I decided I wanted more 6-wheelers and realised that one could be cobbled together from a Bachmann “Emily” coach, in a similar manner to those I modified for use behind my Stirling Single (see Ref. 6).  These toys/models run superbly – even through Radius 1 curves. Comparison of the donor model with the drawing in Ref.1 indicated a reasonable match, with virtually no surgery required other than replacement of the roof.

 

Only a new paint job and transfers, plus new glazing, seats and passengers were needed.

 

The underframe was already acceptable.

 

As received, the coach looked so:

 

And dismantled:

 

Construction

 

The underframe only needed a respray with a flat clear coat.

 

The body was repainted into 1927-34 livery (Ref 4). HMRS transfers were applied, then the body was sealed with Humbrol satin clear.

 

 A new roof was cut from card and ventilators made from 3/4” flat-headed nails. This was then sprayed dark grey.

 

Compartment walls were cut from card, sprayed cream and fitted, together with clear glazing material and balsa seats. Passengers were then added.

 

Results

 

Before fitting the roof, it looked like this:

 

And after:

 

Purists will find lots of discrepancies between model and the real thing, such as:

• Window shapes
• Grab irons
• Minimal underframe detail

Regardless, the finished model is acceptable to my eyes – moving within a train of other hand-me-down coaches, behind such locos as 1043, 908 or 3515.

 

 

 

 

What do you think?

 

References and Further Reading

1. J.H.Russell: “A Pictorial Record of Great Western Coaches including the Brown Vehicles – Part 1 (1838-1913)”, (Oxford Publishing Co., 1972)
2. C.C.Green “Cambrian Railways -2” (Ian Allan, 1981
3. E.R.Mountford: “A Register of GWR Absorbed Coaching Stock 1922/23” (Oakwood Press, 1978)
4. John Lewis et al: “Great Western Way” (2^nd ed., HMRS, 2009)
5. http://www.penrhos.me.uk/Udiags.shtml
6. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/67037-motorising-a-kitmaster-stirling-single/
7. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/117198-cheap-and-cheerful-gwr-d15-brake-3rd-coach/
8. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/91150-cheap-cheerful-cambrian-railways-composite-coach/

[Compound2632]

It does have a very antique Great Western air - as it might be Bristol & Exeter coach converted to standard gauge. (Did that happen at all?) I think it's the extra height of beading on the bottom of the doors that sets it apart from the Dean carriages. BTW I have looked up the real U9 at your Ref. 5 and seen that it was, like Emily's coach, flat-ended.

 

Can it be made to sit any lower on the underframe?

 

To be really niggling, 6-wheelers didn't generally have brakes to the centre wheels because of the degree of lateral movement allowed to the centre axle. I know the brakeblocks on the Emily's coach underframe aren't anywhere near the wheels, but even so!

Edited November 3, 2018 by Compound2632

[RosiesBoss]

G'day, all,

 

Thank you for all the "Likes".

 

This project was always going to be a "cheap and cheerful" one - with minimal surgery to the donor toy/model.

 

I do not have any information about BG to SG conversions of B&E coaches. I'll leave that questions to others.

 

I guess the body could be lowered on the frame, if the top of the frame was shaved down suitably or the floor removed from the body. I chose not to do this, as I was aiming at a quick conversion.

 

I take the point about brakes on the central wheels and may cut them off later.

 

This model was never meant to be exhibited static, in a glass case, but to be used and handled on an exhibition layout in a mixed rake of 6- and 4-wheeled coaches, where reliability was paramount. (See final image, above.) It has achieved that goal.

 

Regards,

 

Rob

[Compound2632]

BTW that's a nice looking collection of locomotives. I take it the 0-6-0 is an ex-Cambrian engine?

[RosiesBoss]

G'day, Compound2632,

 

You are correct. 908 is an ex-CR loco, taken over from the Mid-Wales Railway (their No.5).

 

I have modelled her as she was in the mid-late 1930s, when attached to a Dean tender.

 

This allowed me to use a Mainline powered tender (from a Dean Goods). The loco chassis came from a Lima H0 4F. The wheels were spares from a Hornby J94. The superstructure was scratchbuilt.

 

Here's another image:

 

 

I started to gather information about this model in 1966, while still at school. I gathered components over several years, as they became available. I completed the model in 2009.

 

It pays to be patient in this hobby!

 

Regards,

 

Rob