GWR T38 6-wheeled Brake 3rd From Tri-ang Clerestory Coach

[RosiesBoss]

Disclaimer

This post describes the production of an approximation of a GWR T38 coach, in 1922-27 livery. Photographs and plans of the chosen coach are scarce, so numerous assumptions have been made. The resulting model is not meant to be seen in a glass case. Rather, it is intended for use in a rake of assorted coaches as seen on Central Wales branches in the mid to late 1920s (Ref.6).

 

Introduction

Over many modelling years, I have converted some commercially available models into different designs, to suit the train formations I was interested in at the time.

 

The Bachmann Emily coaches have been useful to make 6-wheeled coaches for my Stirling single:

 

 

One has also been remade into a GWR U9 coach:

 

The venerable Tri-ang clerestories have been rebuilt into a variety of designs:

 

GNR 6-wheeled 3rd:

 

GWR C10:

 

GWR C23:

 

GWR V5:

 

Ex-Cambrian Railways bogie compo:

 

Ex-MSWJR brake 3rd:

 

Hornby toy 4-wheelers have been rebuilt to an ex-Cambrian Railways 6-wheeled 3rd:

 

Recently, I came across a free download file to make a 3D printed model of a nondescript 6-wheeled brake 3rd. I downloaded it from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4716947 and made it up, finishing it as a workmen’s coach:

 

The files came in two parts – body and chassis. The wheelbase was a little shorter than the standard GWR wheelbase (19ft), so I went back to the chassis file and stretched to to conform. It was then a perfect fit overall for a T38 4-compartment 6-wheeled brake 3rd. (See Ref. 2 for a drawing.)

 

I had a spare Tri-ang clerestory brake 3rd which could contribute all the body sections. Wheels, bearings, couplings and buffers were all in my spares bins.

 

Construction – Chassis

 

The stretched chassis was printed, axleboxes were all drilled 2mm and plain Romford brass bearings fitted to the outer axleboxes. Hornby 14mm dia disc wheels were then fitted to them, making any necessary adjustments to give them clearance from under the floor.

 

Old Peco Mansell wheels were used for the centre axle, leaving them plenty of sideways movement. Tests showed the chassis could cope with 1st radius curves.

 

The flange on each side of the top of the floor was ground flat to permit the body sides to sit properly on the chassis. Scale buffers and tension-lock couplings were then fitted.

 

 

Construction – Body

 

An old Tri-ang clerestory brake 3rd – much loved since arriving for Christmas in 1966 – was taken in hand.

 

It was dismantled, with all surplus parts set aside in the scrapbox. The underframe mouldings were ground smoothly off the body and the floor was cut away, leaving an open box:

 

The donor body was then sliced into the parts needed for the T38 – ready to be reassembled like one of my wife’s quilts.

 

Reassembled:

 

Body on chassis, with luggage windows blanked off:

 

From this point, painting was done as stages were completed and while access was available to the inside.

 

Holes in ends filled and lower steps attached. Glazing, seats, partitions and passengers added:

 

Roof made and fitted - awaiting transfers:

 

Results

 

Here is T38 No.1532 in a typical Central Wales train from the late 1920s, comprised of ex Cambrian Railways 4-4-0 1043, T38 brake 3rd 1532, U9 compo 6283, ex Cambrian 3rd 4069 and T31 brake 3rd 301.

 

The model is not as accurate or as well detailed as an etched brass kit, but none seem to be available for this design. Nor do they appear to be available commercially as 3D printed models. Neither the Hattons Genesis nor Hornby generic 6-wheelers include something similar to the T38. Hence, this project has produced something otherwise unobtainable.

 

As for cost, nothing was bought in especially for this project – everything was already on hand. Had all components been purchased locally, the cost would have still been under A$50. At the time of writing Hornby generic 6-wheelers (non-GWR variants) can be bought in Oz for A$70-100 (plus post). I’m happy with what has resulted from my quilted model.

 

Parts List

·         Tri-ang clerestory brake 3rd (R333)

·         3D-printed 6-wheeled chassis

·         Hornby 14mm dia wheels (R8218)

·         Peco Mansell wheels (PR13)

·         Coach buffers from scrapbox

·         Tension-lock couplings (Hornby R8099)

·         Card for roof & partitions

·         2mm x 2mm L-section brass strip

·         Balsa for seats

·         Flat-head nails for roof vents

·         0.020” dia polystyrene rod for roof gutter

·         Filler: Finely-ground sodium bicarbonate, applied dry, then mixed in situ with super glue

·         Humbrol enamels: 98 (Matt brown), 16 (gold), 135 (satin clear)

·         Humbrol RC424 acrylic GWR cream

·         Gloy LNER teak enamel – for coach interior

·         Phoenix PR108 BR maroon – for coach seats

·         Black paint pen: Uni Posca 24 black, 0.7mm

·         British Paints grey spray primer – for roof

·         Clear packaging sheet for glazing

·         PC Methfix & HMRS Pressfix transfers

 

References & Further Reading

1.       Russell, J.H.: “A Pictorial Record of Great Western Coaches including the brown vehicles: Part 1 (1838-1913)”, Oxford Publishing, 1972

2.       http://www.gwrcoaches.org.uk/

3.       https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/159541-cheap-and-cheerful-6-wheeled-gwr-coach/

4.       http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/138426-gwr-diag-u9-composite-coach/

5.       http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/91150-cheap-cheerful-cambrian-railways-composite-coach/

6.       C.C.Green: “Cambrian Railways Album – 2” (Ian Allan, 1981)

7.       https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/126196-gwr-ex-cambrian-railways-large-belpaire-passenger-4-4-0-94-class/

 

[LL1060]

That's an impressive roster of conversions. Very nice work. 

[Jules]

I agree - the are some great conversions of the old Hornby offerings - and some nice tidy painting too.

[BernardTPM]

Dundas Models sell the similar Ratio 4-wheel GWR and Midland compartment coach sides on their own. Good value for conversions like these.

[MrWolf]

Well I stumbled across this from outside of RMWeb whilst hunting around for pictures of a D3 brake coach.

I built the MSWJR brake after reading your article some years ago and now I have built a Number 23 to go with it, I'd better get it finished!

Keep up the good work, the 8 wheeled 7 compartment Cambrian coach looks tempting, I've already cobbled two composite bodies together to form a GWR diagram which I can't remember at the moment!