Another Cambrian Railways Observation Car

[RosiesBoss]

 

Introduction

 

A recent post from Prometheus (https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/179012-ex-cambrian-railways-observation-saloon/#comment-5160848) as well as his account here: https://srmg.org.uk/cambrian-railways-6wheel-observation-car have encouraged me to make something similar to run with other ex-Cambrian Railways GWR stock.

 

Modelling here in Oz, the cost of kitbashing two autocoaches into one observation car was prohibitive to this retiree. Instead, the plan was to make the body from card, with a polystyrene floor and brass solebars, to sit on a Cleminson chassis.

 

The idea of a card body was one based on the experience of construction of several Alphagraphics buildings, repair of a PC coach with new sides and the kitbashing of a Blue Pullman kitchen car. In each case, the card was reinforced with glazing material.

 

 

 

 

Parts list:

·         6-wheeled chassis – Brassmasters Cleminson

·         Axleboxes & springs - MRC007: MR Oil Axleboxes with 7′ Spring & Short J Hangers (pack of 12)  from Wizard Models

·         14mm wheels: Hornby R8218

·         Couplings: Hornby R8099

·         10BA screws, washers & nuts to attach couplers

·         Buffers – MT378 GWR 4-wheeled coach from Wizard Models

·         Footsteps – scrap brass strip and rod

·         200 gsm card for sides, ends and seat backs

·         Slater’s and Prieser figures

·         Balsa and C-section brass channel for solebars & buffer beams

·         6mm square cross-section fine grained hardwood for seats

·         Pre-loved roof from Tri-ang CK

·         Craft matches – to reinforce body corners

·         Glazing material

·         Roof vents – adapted from small flat-head nails

·         Polystyrene rod – for beading

·         0.45mm brass wire – for handrails & door handles

·         Springside tail light

 

Paint & transfers

·         Tamiya XF69 NATO black

·         Humbrol 135 sarin clear

·         Humbrol 98 matt chocolate

·         Humbrol 20 gloss crimson

·         White Knight  Squirts gloss cream

·         Motor Tech grey primer

·         HMRS Pressfix GWR coach transfers

 

Construction

 

1.       Body

 

Plan printed onto 200 gsm card at 4mm scale, then parts cut out.

 

Glued together:

 

Beading applied:

 

Primed with aerosol cream:

 

Droplights painted, then body glazed:

 

Seats & passengers:

 

Roof – modified Triang CK:

 

2.       Chassis

 

Plastic floor, with solebars & buffer beams (shown upside-down):

 

Cleminson kit assembled and added:

(Tension-lock couplers added to facilitate on-track testing)

 

Dummy springs & axleboxes added:

 

Footboards fabricated and fitted:

 

 

Buffers & scale couplings added:

 

Body and chassis painted, then dry assembled:

 

Door handles, handrails & transfers added, then varnished:

 

In service, passing train hauled by “Stella” class 3515:

 

Reflections

 

How does it run? Superbly! It copes well with curves – even 1st radius ones, as well as uneven track, points, etc. It rolls away on the slightest gradient.

 

Was it difficult? Not really, but it was a bit fiddly to fret out from card. Until reinforced with glazing material and beading, the body was very flimsy. Once assembled, it was strong enough. The Brassmasters kit was a joy to assemble. What a wonderful design!

 

How long did it take to make? Just on a month.

 

References & Further Reading

 

1.       Model Railway Constructor, Nov 1964

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

3.       J.H. Russell: “Great Western Coaches Appendix Vol. 2” (Oxford Publishing, 1984)

 

[brumtb]

6 hours ago, RosiesBoss said:

 

Introduction

 

A recent post from Prometheus (https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/179012-ex-cambrian-railways-observation-saloon/#comment-5160848) as well as his account here: https://srmg.org.uk/cambrian-railways-6wheel-observation-car have encouraged me to make something similar to run with other ex-Cambrian Railways GWR stock.

 

Modelling here in Oz, the cost of kitbashing two autocoaches into one observation car was prohibitive to this retiree. Instead, the plan was to make the body from card, with a polystyrene floor and brass solebars, to sit on a Cleminson chassis.

 

The idea of a card body was one based on the experience of construction of several Alphagraphics buildings, repair of a PC coach with new sides and the kitbashing of a Blue Pullman kitchen car. In each case, the card was reinforced with glazing material.

 

 

 

 

Parts list:

·         6-wheeled chassis – Brassmasters Cleminson

·         Axleboxes & springs - MRC007: MR Oil Axleboxes with 7′ Spring & Short J Hangers (pack of 12)  from Wizard Models

·         14mm wheels: Hornby R8218

·         Couplings: Hornby R8099

·         10BA screws, washers & nuts to attach couplers

·         Buffers – MT378 GWR 4-wheeled coach from Wizard Models

·         Footsteps – scrap brass strip and rod

·         200 gsm card for sides, ends and seat backs

·         Slater’s and Prieser figures

·         Balsa and C-section brass channel for solebars & buffer beams

·         6mm square cross-section fine grained hardwood for seats

·         Pre-loved roof from Tri-ang CK

·         Craft matches – to reinforce body corners

·         Glazing material

·         Roof vents – adapted from small flat-head nails

·         Polystyrene rod – for beading

·         0.45mm brass wire – for handrails & door handles

·         Springside tail light

 

Paint & transfers

·         Tamiya XF69 NATO black

·         Humbrol 135 sarin clear

·         Humbrol 98 matt chocolate

·         Humbrol 20 gloss crimson

·         White Knight  Squirts gloss cream

·         Motor Tech grey primer

·         HMRS Pressfix GWR coach transfers

 

Construction

 

1.       Body

 

Plan printed onto 200 gsm card at 4mm scale, then parts cut out.

 

Glued together:

 

Beading applied:

 

Primed with aerosol cream:

 

Droplights painted, then body glazed:

 

Seats & passengers:

 

Roof – modified Triang CK:

 

2.       Chassis

 

Plastic floor, with solebars & buffer beams (shown upside-down):

 

Cleminson kit assembled and added:

(Tension-lock couplers added to facilitate on-track testing)

 

Dummy springs & axleboxes added:

 

Footboards fabricated and fitted:

 

 

Buffers & scale couplings added:

 

Body and chassis painted, then dry assembled:

 

Door handles, handrails & transfers added, then varnished:

 

In service, passing train hauled by “Stella” class 3515:

 

Reflections

 

How does it run? Superbly! It copes well with curves – even 1st radius ones, as well as uneven track, points, etc. It rolls away on the slightest gradient.

 

Was it difficult? Not really, but it was a bit fiddly to fret out from card. Until reinforced with glazing material and beading, the body was very flimsy. Once assembled, it was strong enough. The Brassmasters kit was a joy to assemble. What a wonderful design!

 

How long did it take to make? Just on a month.

 

References & Further Reading

 

1.       Model Railway Constructor, Nov 1964

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

3.       J.H. Russell: “Great Western Coaches Appendix Vol. 2” (Oxford Publishing, 1984)

 

Very well done, true modelmaking. Inspirational!

Tony 

[kada33]

Here is a link to my Blog page which has RosiesBoss first ref. MRC November 1964 by R.W.Rush. It is at the bottom of the link.

 

https://djb-model-rly-articles.blogspot.com/2022/11/

 

DaveB

[Prometheus]

Absolutely delightful!  Thanks for sharing. You are so right about those Brassmasters ‘ Cleminson units, too. They can almost cope with 90 degree curves.

 

Tony