RCH 1907 Private Owner Wagons - with added 2024 range.

[MarkSG]

9 minutes ago, locoholic said:

Not sure if anyone else has noticed this, but if you are fitting loads to the Rapido RCH wagons, be careful to make the loads smaller than the internal dimensions - if it's too snug, the load will split the wagon body open - they are not a single piece moulding, and the sides and ends aren't joined very strongly.

 

I suppose that's a consequence of the fairly detailed internal moulding, with the doors clearly visible inside as well as outside. Most models of open wagons skim over that somewhat, with internal moulding limited to a fairly basic representation of the planks, but without any doors. The simplest way to get a fully detailed internal mould is to do the sides separately and then assemble them, rather than doing the body as a single piece. But then you do run the risk of the assembly coming apart if you put too much stress on it.

 

As an aside, that's also an illustration of why the common expectation that open wagons should be cheaper than vans is misplaced. There may be a bit less plastic in an open wagon than there is in a van. But a van rarely needs any internal detail, so it's a simpler design to create and produce. And it's the design work you're paying for, not the plastic.

[alexl102]

Sorry to ask 'the' question but do we have a potential delivery date for the 2024 RCH wagons? Its not on the progress tracker on their website unless I'm very bad at looking!

[Dungrange]

41 minutes ago, alexl102 said:

Sorry to ask 'the' question but do we have a potential delivery date for the 2024 RCH wagons? Its not on the progress tracker on their website unless I'm very bad at looking!

 

They don't need to be designed or tooled, but there will presumably need to be painted samples, so since they aren't listed under samples received, I'd guess the others in this category for which details have been given is your best guide.  At best 2024 Q4, but probably more likely to be the first half of 2025.  Some of the in production items have a 2024 Q4 delivery date, so any earlier than that would seem highly unlikely.

[Gilbert]

1 hour ago, locoholic said:

Not sure if anyone else has noticed this, but if you are fitting loads to the Rapido RCH wagons, be careful to make the loads smaller than the internal dimensions - if it's too snug, the load will split the wagon body open - they are not a single piece moulding, and the sides and ends aren't joined very strongly.

That's something I'll look out for - having said that I've done a few already and not had a problem - just careful to ensure load is fitted from non-opening end. Here's a trial run with S&W couplers added but unweathered as yet.

Chris

[Pre Grouping fan]

45 minutes ago, Dungrange said:

 

They don't need to be designed or tooled, but there will presumably need to be painted samples, so since they aren't listed under samples received, I'd guess the others in this category for which details have been given is your best guide.  At best 2024 Q4, but probably more likely to be the first half of 2025.  Some of the in production items have a 2024 Q4 delivery date, so any earlier than that would seem highly unlikely.

 

The 2024 range models the longer 16'6" wagons so tooling is needed but this could have already been in hand when the 5/7 planks were tooled as the announcement of this batch mentioned "These wagons are also six inches longer than our first models, which thanks to the model's clever design we are able to cater for." 

[Covkid]

3 hours ago, locoholic said:

Not sure if anyone else has noticed this, but if you are fitting loads to the Rapido RCH wagons, be careful to make the loads smaller than the internal dimensions - if it's too snug, the load will split the wagon body open - they are not a single piece moulding, and the sides and ends aren't joined very strongly.

 

Good point.  One of my NCB "St Andrews" RCHs had a loose end door which was secured with a drop of poly.

[JSpencer]

3 hours ago, Covkid said:

 

Good point.  One of my NCB "St Andrews" RCHs had a loose end door which was secured with a drop of poly.

 

My 6 SECR ones and GC and GW ones were also loose. I'm tempted to make these working ends 😅

 

[Chatham.mrc]

On 25/04/2024 at 10:14, Pre Grouping fan said:

Another exclusive has been revealed over on Facebook

 

"We are delighted to announce that on Saturday 27th April we will launch for sale our G. Newington & Co. 5-Plank Wagon which has been produced exclusively for us by Rapido.

 

The limited edition run of 100 comes with a numbered certificate and will initially only be available by visiting the Carriage Shop at Horsted Keynes station.

 

All profits from the sale of this model are being donated to the Bluebell Railway Goods Division."

 

Picked my one of these up at the Bluebell Railway toy fair Sunday. Here's it on the club layout with the other two I picked up this weekend and my clubs exclusive one

[wainwright1]

16 hours ago, Chatham.mrc said:

Picked my one of these up at the Bluebell Railway toy fair Sunday. Here's it on the club layout with the other two I picked up this weekend and my clubs exclusive one

Hi Jamie.

Have you got a couple of those Dockyard ones put by for me when we come to the show ?

All the best

Ray

[Chatham.mrc]

1 hour ago, wainwright1 said:

Hi Jamie.

Have you got a couple of those Dockyard ones put by for me when we come to the show ?

All the best

Ray

Hey Ray. 

Yes there will be just make sure you come to the stand early.

Cheers 

[rapidoandy]

Now with side door only (and slightly longer) versions...

 

 

[ChrisN]

58 minutes ago, rapidoandy said:

Now with side door only (and slightly longer) versions...

 

 

 

Ok, I am being thick.  Is this an undecorated sample of new ones to come, or will it be sold as it is?

 

Thank you.

[JSpencer]

8 hours ago, ChrisN said:

 

Ok, I am being thick.  Is this an undecorated sample of new ones to come, or will it be sold as it is?

 

Thank you.

 

Undercorated test sample. They will be sold in a variety of colours (SECR, LBSC and many others).

[fulton]

Finally got around to collecting my Chatham Dockyard wagons last night, novel seeing the prototype at the same time, today fitted EM wheels, three link couplings, repainted the inside and a bit of weathering. My story is that this wagon has been sent the short distance, to collect a casting from Strood Steelworks foundry on Janes' Creek, Strood. (it was actually an internal user only wagon) This wagon will be available from the Chatham Club at our exhibition in July, at the Dockyard.

Edited June 5 by fulton
added text

[Chatham.mrc]

21 hours ago, fulton said:

Finally got around to collecting my Chatham Dockyard wagons last night, novel seeing the prototype at the same time, today fitted EM wheels, three link couplings, repainted the inside and a bit of weathering. My story is that this wagon has been sent the short distance, to collect a casting from Strood Steelworks foundry on Janes' Creek, Strood. (it was actually an internal user only wagon) This wagon will be available from the Chatham Club at our exhibition in July, at the Dockyard.

Looks great 🙌🏻🙌🏻 gutted I missed you at the club Tuesday. 

[Compound2632]

On 21/04/2024 at 07:30, Jammy2305 said:

Despite repeat searches, I cannot ascertain what era the 'Albert Usher' wagon represents, or which line/company it's associated with (I'm asking with a view for potential SECR running).

 

A wagon-spotting correspondent reports a sighting of an Albert Usher wagon at Stanton Gate on the Erewash Valley line, c. 1938 [Midland Record No. 22 p. 2]. As one would expect for this later date, the lettering is larger than on Rapido's model, dropping the '& Co.' - not quite filling the top three of seven planks, maybe 3" clear at the top and, i think, shaded at the bottom and right. This is a pre-1923 RCH standard wagon, with Ellis grease axleboxes.

[Compound2632]

Further to which, the same correspondent points out the clearer view of this later Albert Usher livery in a photo taken at Toton in 1927, Midland Record No. 21 p. 63.

[Bulwell Hall]

The Rapido 1907 PO coal wagon has to be one of the finest rtr models yet released in 4mm scale.  This camera phone snap shows one that has been re-wheeled with Exactoscale P4 split spoke wagon wheels, three link couplings added to the original hooks and weathered - I think it looks quite superb!  It has a delicacy around the wheels and running/brake gear that hitherto was only seen of kit or hand built models.  I cant really see how it could be improved!

 

[Compound2632]

6 minutes ago, Bulwell Hall said:

The Rapido 1907 PO coal wagon has to be one of the finest rtr models yet released in 4mm scale.  This camera phone snap shows

 

... that it was worth Rapido's while modelling the middle bearers, longitudinals and diagonals. 

 

Nice angle!

[Andy Vincent]

2 hours ago, Bulwell Hall said:

The Rapido 1907 PO coal wagon has to be one of the finest rtr models yet released in 4mm scale

I agree, but if one wanted to nit pick / suggest future enhancements, there are a couple of things that could still be done. I am not sure if it is just down to the need to extend the life of the tooling but the groove between planks stands out more than it should (it should be much narrower), and this prominence underlines that it is visually wrong (bottom edge of plank should be square and top edge is chamfered). Also, the brake hanger could have been partially recessed so that it stands less proud of the solebar without losing strength

 

However, all of that is truly minor compared to the overall improvement in both range and standard.

 

To @Compound2632's point, I am very undecided about this trend to model everything below the floor. Derailment scene modelling is still very much a niche within the hobby - and having all this extra stuff makes adding many types of finescale coupling more difficult and complicates weighting, springing etc. That such concerns arise just underlines the level of improvement!

[Compound2632]

36 minutes ago, Andy Vincent said:

I agree, but if one wanted to nit pick / suggest future enhancements, there are a couple of things that could still be done.

 

I have yet to see any RTR or kit wagon in 4 mm scale that includes a representation of the bottom door catch and lever...

[WFPettigrew]

On 17/06/2024 at 13:42, Compound2632 said:

I have yet to see any RTR or kit wagon in 4 mm scale that includes a representation of the bottom door catch and lever...

 

I've now finished the body modifications on my Glass Houghton example (remember "super detailing" in magazines in the 70s and 80s?!).  Monkey tails aka the bottom door catch with securing chain were indeed added along with the related bolt heads on the solebar, but the biggest change was to replace the end door hinge because this prototype had it above the end of the wagon not inline.  I used the excellent Masokits etch for this, carving off the old hinges and bars and making up and fitting the brass. Other improvements were the horse loops, the commode handles on the fixed end, the bump plate and changing the door end side washer plates to have a curved not straight bottom end. 

 

Being clumsy I managed to damage one of the buffers during the work on the end door hinge, so cut it off to replace with one from Lanarkshire Model Supplies - but then found that the buffer guides are separate mouldings, so decided to replace them all, which will allow the buffers to be sprung. 

 

Now just needs some tidying up where the solvent wept a bit, some primer and the paint touching up, then 3 link couplings fitting.

 

 

 

[Compound2632]

1 hour ago, WFPettigrew said:

Monkey tails aka the bottom door catch with securing chain were indeed added along with the related bolt heads on the solebar

 

I would very much like a good photo and explanation of how you made these.

[WFPettigrew]

1 hour ago, Compound2632 said:

I would very much like a good photo and explanation of how you made these.

 

First port of call was p16 of the Ince Waggons book (these are actually the 1887 RCH drawing of the monkey tail) , and/or Drwg 12 of the set of 1907 drawings as now hosted by the LMS Society.  I have made a crop of the latter for the purpose of explaining this. 

 

 

These two drawings are - on the left, a cross section and - on the right - a longitudinal section.  These show the actual tail was 1" diameter, angled inwards.  So after comparing the longitudinal location of the monkey tail on the prototype photo, I drilled 0.4mm in the centre of the solebar angling the drill somewhat nervewrackingly to towards the outer face, and then inserted some 0.31mm NS wire. 

 

Then I made a pair of rectangles of 10 thou styrene, 1 and a bit mm x 2mm (as the original casting was 6" front to back and 3 5/8" high - annoyingly I have just realised the 6" measurement is just cropped off the bottom of the above drawing). I trimmed one corner off each to make the angled shape, and stuck these either side of the pin, which I then cut to length using the stem on my callipers as a jig for the cutters. 

 

Finally 5A fusewire was wound round a 0.4mm drill that was secured in the vice, with the two free ends nipped up in the pin vice, and twisted until tight.  This was obviously done twice, one for each side. Then lengths of this were bent into a U and inserted into two more holes drilled in the solebar.  At this point I rather inevitably dislodged the nearer piece of styrene, and I one had to be remade, but they'll do I think. 

 

Oh, and I used my GW Rivet Press to gently dome some 10 thou to represent the four bolt heads on the solebar, again positioning them as per the prototype photo.

 

All the bonding here (and indeed attaching the replacement brass door hinge) was done by solvent, but I did add a drop of cyano to the inside edge of both assemblies to give them a bit more anchoring.

 

Two photos finally - sadly the latest generation phones are more keen to introduce slo-mo and other effects rather than having a macro lens, so I have taken from distance and cropped within an inch of their pixels distorting.  Hopefully this makes it all clear.   

 

 

 

All the best

 

Neil 

[Compound2632]

1 hour ago, WFPettigrew said:

First port of call was p16 of the Ince Waggons book (these are actually the 1887 RCH drawing of the monkey tail) , and/or Drwg 12 of the set of 1907 drawings as now hosted by the LMS Society.  

 

A direct copy of Midland drawings of 1882 - the 1887 RCH drawings being made (in 1885) under Thomas Clayton's supervision, i.e. in the Litchurch Lane C&W DO.

 

Many thanks for your description.

 

1 hour ago, WFPettigrew said:

Then I made a pair of rectangles of 10 thou styrene, 1 and a bit mm x 2mm

 

Yes, I've tried this once* but it was a faff - need to find a much simpler way to do 200 off...

 

*Well, twice, for one wagon.

 

1 hour ago, WFPettigrew said:

I drilled 0.4mm in the centre of the solebar angling the drill somewhat nervewrackingly to towards the outer face, and then inserted some 0.31mm NS wire. 

 

So, I've done this by drilling a locating hole in the floor and bending up the wire with a double bend, so there's 3 mm - 4 mm to glue to the back of the solebar. I'm inclined to think that for mass-production, one could get away with just this, omitting the bracket and chain.

 

1 hour ago, WFPettigrew said:

Finally 5A fusewire was wound round a 0.4mm drill that was secured in the vice, with the two free ends nipped up in the pin vice, and twisted until tight.  This was obviously done twice, one for each side. Then lengths of this were bent into a U and inserted into two more holes drilled in the solebar. 

 

I must try harder.

 

1 hour ago, WFPettigrew said:

Oh, and I used my GW Rivet Press to gently dome some 10 thou to represent the four bolt heads on the solebar, again positioning them as per the prototype photo.

 

 

Archer / Railtec rivet transfers...

 

You've P4'd, of course. Did you have to adjust the brakegear?