Spitfire2865

I second the parkside recommendation. If you can get a hold of any Slaters kits, they practically fall together, but are out of production. Cambrian require a little care in getting it flat amd square, but still pretty good. Chivers makes few, but very good kits. Also, look into Ratio and Mousa Models (newer) kits.

This is beautiful so far, and cant wait to see more.

Dont tempt me with a TinTab as Id build one in G3. I can see the etching for the metal alone being expensive enough.

I have no experience with Peco curved turnouts personally, but of what Ive heard, avoid if possible, and certainly dont have several in a string. Many people report issues regarding derailing and inconsistent radius. In a fiddle yard, its a recipe for frustration.

Well seeing as the D32 had one door, and relied on turntables, and if the train was marshalled at the same yard, then why not? Id think itd be odder if they werent all facing the same way when in a train.

Ooooh, lucky you. Im envious of your new toy. The milk churn looks like itll be easy to clean up, if you can mount it on a chuck somehow.

Well Im not going to complain about the simplicity of the LNW D2. No hinges makes my G3 scratchbuilding easy. But you have to consider the facilities available to the two companies as well. The Midland standardized on no roof access in vans, while the LNW used them up until their D88 in the early 20th century. This meant the LNW facilities, along with relying heavily on turntables, had plenty of small cranes for loading. If you have the facilities for lifting already, why waste on hinging lowsided opens? Obviously you need hinged doors on medium and high sides, but that borders on mineral traffic. All this is wild speculation, and I am aware cranes were a common site in all facilities. But possibly it was a difference in loading philosophy between the Midland and LNW which stemmed from the points I noted.

A dropside if used in goods traffic, is nothing different than a lowsided open, just easier to use as whatever your loading doesnt need to clear the side. Though closing it could get difficult as something like 3x 16'x 9"x 3" planks could get quite heavy.

A bit of painting with my airbrush. I do love the simplicity of the diamonds livery. A little fuzzy around the edges due to my paint mask, but oh well.

So they realized there was a problem, and because it harmed them, it was more cost effecive to buy and replace them all instead of dealing with the issues continuously.

Haha not for the near future as I have little to no interest in coaching stock for now. But I am not opposed to a change of heart at some point. Though I can see a carriage built to my standards costing quite a bit.

Well the nuts and bolts arrived today, so Ive begun the second wagon. Already have one end mostly done and the second prepped. Spitfire Wagon and Carriage Works is slow, but dedicated.

Looks great. Wish I had such a rake.

So have we still not found a great alternative?

Ive managed to cut up and nail down the floor planks. 52 nails, bent around 40 to do it. Half mil brass is very bendable. And I have the bottom ready to bend up some tierods. When the nuts and bolts come, Ill be able to start on the second wagon.

Looks good. Though there are a few photos online that you dont seem to have. Also, there is a single photo of an end on D3 in one of the other wagon books. If my memory serves correct, Midland Vol 2...maybe?

Well I had the day off, so I managed to finish the bodywork on one wagon. I need to order more bolts to finish the second. Floor is next on the list. Have the frame cut for the second ready to start assembling.

Someone deliberately designed this...luckily we have moved past such dark times?

Ive built two Geen kits, and my solution was to chop up the axleguards and use etched replacements on an internal floor. The van looks great, and Id love to see you tackle the livery again.

For me, buying a lot from the UK while in the US, postage is always a consideration. When an item is heavy, large, or otherwise postage heavy such as the £15-£20 range, I have to consider if the value of the item itself offsets the cost of shipping it. Ive had to pass on some rather attractive offers simply due to postage being rediculous compared to the item price.

You make my climate sound so pleasant. And yes we often get far too much sun, much to my displeasure. Im not sure my models would survive well outdoors, my L&Y van barely survived seasonal humidity last summer.

Looks good, though having a floorless wagon would bug me, even if I could never see it. I might have to build another G3 L&Y wagon to put in unpainted livery.

Yeah I do have to still cut those. Should be easy with my dremel though. Just need to mark them out.

Well I have since finished the Slaters van. Its currently sitting in my bookshelf next to my D299 open. But Ive been busy. I wanted to get on with another scratchbuild and I wanted something that wouldnt be too challenging, so it had to be a low sided open. Looking at what I currently have information for, I was once again drawn to the lovely illustrations in the LNWR wagons book. Considering its low amount of timber, "relatively" small number of fixing bolts, and lack of hinges, I decided on an LNWR D2 open. Well, actually Im building two, though the other is hopefully going to end up going to a friend. Just need to wait for some more timber to start the body on the second wagon. And I need to order some more bolts... Well, heres a picture after some work today drilling the end planking. Yes the D2s were built with riveted corner plates, no I dont want to form 80 rivets per wagon. (At least not until I get experience using miniature rivets)

I might be interested in some, as I am in the USA.