cromptonnut Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 I can find mentions of Conflat A and Conflat L. I'd like to use one as a 'runner/spacer' for my little industrial shunter but I can't see any real difference between the two. Are they interchangeable in this purpose? When did the last one stop being used for this purpose (late 70's early 80's layout, Southern, if that makes a difference). I know the Conflat L is the ex GWR shunters runner but that's about all - I guess I'm not looking in the right places or for the right information. Finally, can anyone recommend an easy beginner's kit for an appropriate solution in 7mm please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 I just got this kit from Bill Bedford of a Conflat L: http://www.mousa.biz/fourmm/wagons/br_wagons4.html The pictures and words are self explanatory. I will use mine as a runner behind my 03. TMC do a Conflat A runner: http://www.themodelcentre.co.uk/37-980y/prod_678.html . I just received their 3 pack of Birds Eye containers on Conflat A. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold mcowgill Posted June 27, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 27, 2012 The Conflat L is not the GWR runner, it's a specialist vehicle that carried 3 small containers and has 3 holes in the floor under where each container sat, and locating brackets at for the corner or each container. They were quite common as runners for 03s round here (East Anglia) but there's no ready to run model, the you will need to build the Bill Bedford kit that John mentions above (must get round to doing mine). The Conflat A is in the Bachmann range and was also used as a runner. We had them around here with the class 03s until about the time the Norwich electrification was completed in 1987. Martin Edit: Of course neither option is much use to you in 7mm - must read the OP properly! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 It's the 7mm one I'm after which although it appears on that site is 'in development' and inviting deposits - but with no idea of the final price. Slaters do a Conflat A kit, and Skytrex do an rtr one in 7mm. Are the "A" and "L" versions interchangeable for this purpose? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Hi Cromptonnut, I found the 7mm Slaters kit of the Conflat A was not the easiest kit to put together.. Also, for those using it as a conflat, you have to buy the chains, container (as separate kit) and all transfers separately.. It turned out to be the most expensive 7mm wagon kit I ever built! - BY FAR It's a nice model, but a fiddle to put together, especially the underframe - which didn't work out square, without some surgery.... I have since seen what I believe is an RTR conflat A, on a secondhand stall - I have now seen a few of these, but don't know what make they were.... I'm sure I saw a photo of one in use as match truck for an 03 shunter, and it may even have been one of the cut-down cab versions on the BPGVR line... Let us know what you find Cheers and good luck EDIT: Found a link to a pic of an 03 with a conflat, but not much of a view of the wagon... http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_11_2010/post-6925-024928600%201289424334_thumb.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Sorry, Marc, didn't notice that you are 7mm. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 So it seems like Slaters kit, Bill Bedford kit, Parkside kit, or Skytrex rtr. Had an email from Skytrex this morning of everything 20% off till the 4th July which brings their Conflat wagon down to £44 just needing weathering really. Compared to £32 plus glue, time, paint and transfers for the Slaters kit, for example, it almost seems "not worth the bother" of making up a kit for what looks a perfectly respectable rtr model. marc smith, I would guess the ones you've seen would be the Skytrex one. http://www.ogauge.co.uk/productimages/large_SMR30.jpg which, subject to SWMBO's approval, I shall probably order tomorrow. I guess, in some ways, a private facility needing such a wagon would use anything they could have gotten their hands on cheaply to do the job, so a Conflat "A" will probably do the job. Thanks for the assistance guys. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Small spanner in the works, was talking to a friend earlier who said that Skytrex had plastic wheels and were very light, and he didn't rate them very highly. Anyone got experience with Skytrex wagons - or should I go back to the kit route? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 There is plenty about these as runners in http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/45015-br-class-03-with-match-truck/ including links to photographs. There are two distinctly different Conflat Ls. Paul Bartlett Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billbedford Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 It's the 7mm one I'm after which although it appears on that site is 'in development' and inviting deposits - but with no idea of the final price. The price is £46.80 plus postage Thinks: time to update the website again........... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 In the end I decided to go with the Bill Bedford model (above) as the Conflat L is the better option, so will await the next batch of kit production with interest and hopefully by Christmas 2017 I will have completed the kit... Good to chat on the phone, Bill. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 So it seems like Slaters kit, Bill Bedford kit, Parkside kit, or Skytrex rtr. Had an email from Skytrex this morning of everything 20% off till the 4th July which brings their Conflat wagon down to £44 just needing weathering really. Compared to £32 plus glue, time, paint and transfers for the Slaters kit, for example, it almost seems "not worth the bother" of making up a kit for what looks a perfectly respectable rtr model. marc smith, I would guess the ones you've seen would be the Skytrex one. http://www.ogauge.co...large_SMR30.jpg which, subject to SWMBO's approval, I shall probably order tomorrow. I guess, in some ways, a private facility needing such a wagon would use anything they could have gotten their hands on cheaply to do the job, so a Conflat "A" will probably do the job. Thanks for the assistance guys. Hi Cromptonnut, The RTR 7mm conflats I saw were some time ago, before Skytrex grew into the company it is now... so those wagons were definately not Skytrex But at that price, I would say a Skytrex conflat is worth a shot As I posted earlier, the Fox transfers for the wagon & container made it a very expensive wagon.... though I realise you are probably not opting for a container.... I'm pretty impressed with Skytrex wagons, with a bit of weathering, they look fine to me, and I'm now tempted by their conflat too, for an additional one.... Once again, thanks to Paul Bartlett for posting the link to wagon photos Ever the source of invaluable photos & info Cheers Marc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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