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6 wheel Express fish van LMS/BR 4mm scale


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I've taken quite a fancy to 6 wheel vans lately so I thought I'd have a go at the 6 wheel fish vans.

 

The first of these six wheel vans were built by the LMS just after the end of WWII during 1946 and 1947 under Lot 1428 to diagram D2115. Two further Lots, 1445 and 1509 were built under BR ownership in 1949. The van numbers for each Lot were 50 vans in the number sequence 40200 – 40249 followed by 50 vans in the sequence 40250 – 40299 and finally a further 40 vans numbered 40300 – 40339. All of these vans were built at Wolverton.

The first Lot of vans had LMS style lettering and were labelled FISH, Vans from the second batch, although built under BR were labelled in the later style LMS lettering but were marked as X-FISH denoting a higher traffic status. Later, and of course at any repaint, the vans received standard BR numbering with the number preceded by the letter M. Later an additional letter M was added after the number as well.

The vans were built to passenger stock standards, measuring 31’0” over the headstocks with a 10’6” spacing between the axles. They had a screw coupling, were vacuum fitted and had a steam through pipe. Six wheeled vehicles were officially banned from passenger trains after 1959 and with fish traffic diminishing many of these vans ended up in departmental stock. According to the Essery and Jenkinson book, some were still in service in the 1990’s.

 

This is a picture of the first test build which came out better than expected, the first one usually ends up in the bin!!

 

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The body is pretty straightforward, just the usual basic shell with a central partition for strength.

 

_MG_5415b.jpg.09aedc88f14e222d40b92b5232ea2406.jpg

 

The doors on these vans are quite a prominent feature so I have made them up from three layers.

 

_MG_5423b.jpg.8991228c5d42b5467937cd86340b8fb7.jpg

 

The inner and centre section have an opening in the centre so it can all be soldered up from the back.

 

_MG_5431b.jpg.f68ef83de9ea2b40cfbfa358fe33ebaf.jpg

 

 

The doors can be lined up using the holes for the handles and the door rollers to make sure it is in the correct place.

 

_MG_5440b.jpg.2c1cdc0843d85a6e80297cac9a886440.jpg

 

I'll post more photos as the build progresses.

 

Ian

Edited by macgeordie
Scale clarification as 4mm
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A bit more done, doors, rivet strip and door latches in place.

 

_MG_5452b.jpg.eb368b66fc7af9173d7e6212dbde4129.jpg

 

 

Handles and corner strengtheners fitted.

 

_MG_5465b.jpg.e9f5ec9ba476af060f9a4c073762abac.jpg

 

 

Body corner stengtheners and door stops in place.

 

_MG_5474b.jpg.748227b7988981b35c7e6421cfe0d73c.jpg

 

The main parts of the body are now complete so it will be the chassis next.

 

Ian

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Most of the chassis is now complete, it is basically the same as the one I used on the Thompson BZ and the Palethorpes van. It's a Cleminson truck principle and it has worked well so far so I didn't see any point in changing it.

 

The solebars and overlays in place with a gap between the solebar and the Axleguards for the springs and J hangers to fit into.

 

_MG_5528b.jpg.6507a763de6c3323c6c6985d832b53fb.jpg

 

 

 

The centre axle is sprung and the two outer ones rotate slightly as the van takes a curve when the centre wheel unit moves from side to side.

 

_MG_5568b.jpg.8a10c1bf483189aa2be0cfb4558711ce.jpg

 

_MG_5625b.jpg.f40ca70665a1924ffc2f32c8a118f281.jpg

 

Next stage is fitting the van roof and lots of little detail parts but that will have to wait till next week as I'm off with the layout to Jarrow Perth Green exhibition tomorrow for the weekend.

 

Ian

Edited by macgeordie
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Roof now in place along with the rain strips. The van is almost finished now, I gave it a coat of #8 etch paint today so it is almost ready for the livery to be applied, possibly tomorrow.

 

_MG_5609b.jpg.788d2725193cc99f565ce942fe233f30.jpg

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I managed to get the chassis and roof painted but not the body livery colour so it is just in 'Photographic Grey' :D

 

_MG_5636b.jpg.9b8d326fe294e94d7df152a071b2183a.jpg

 

 

_MG_5637b.jpg.7f1e85c92f4784cd227784a2aa14e721.jpg

 

I'm going to order the etches for those members who have requested one of these on Sunday so if anybody else wants one of these, please pm me before Sunday evening.

 

Ian

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I have just had an email from the etching company and they have had to stop production due to the Corona virus due to social distancing regulations. In view of that I can't say when I will be able to supply the kits which members have requested from me. At a guess I would say it will be at least 6 weeks rather than the usual 2. My apologies gents but it is out of my hands.

 

Ian

Edited by macgeordie
Typo error
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Nice warm day today so I was able to get the weathering done:-

 

 

 

_MG_5645b.jpg.66724c78dee2131102d3806c96247c8f.jpg

 

_MG_5647b.jpg.6c43f256fb24d49c7b6ddc0647009a1b.jpg

 

_MG_5646b.jpg.04b556bfd418e93cd2aefc489116ee6e.jpg

 

Close ups can be cruel in 4mm scale, but I think that has come out quite well. I think a little dark grey on the vac pipe and the steam pipe might look better though.

 

Next project is a Gresley BG to diagram D45. I've just finished painting the test build so I might start a thread on that soon.

 

Ian

Edited by macgeordie
Typo rectified
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