I’ve returned to the Palethorpes vans.  For a while now I’ve been looking at the 2 GWR built ones and, as with many things, the more you look the more you notice.  Turns out that on initial viewing they are very similar to the LMS built ones but the reality is somewhat different.

In my version of late 1950’s Black country, Dudley station has been somewhat relegated in its importance (sorry Dudley).  In the real world it was served by the Western and Midland regions but in my version the whole line is Midland and the cross over is at Stourbridge instead. What this means is that the Palethorpes vans rather than being tripped from Tipton to Dudley, in my world they would be tripped to Stourbridge instead which justifies a train of them (albeit short) passing through Brettell Road.

I built my first 2 vans back in 2017 and the 6 wheeler used a Brassmasters clemenson chassis with Chivers sideframes from their fish van kit.  Things have moved on a bit since then and other options are available. I’ve also got hold of a Dapol Stove R body (which was for sale cheap on ebay due to it being mated with a 4 wheel chassis). Ian McDonald did underframe kits for both so…

The kit also uses a clemenson design but with inside bearings which will be handy for the GWR van. It allows for some springing on the center axle but I wanted mine fully sprung.  The solution is to use Dave Bradwell spring carriers with a little guide wires on the outer face of the wheel units.  I made a little jig to help line them all up. The springs rest of the outer frame or a bit of 40×60 microstrip.  The spring for the middle axle is slightly lighter.

Underframe for the Stove R built pretty much as intended. I did move the w irons in by about 2mm each side as I don’t need the clemenson chassis to move much due to not having tight curves.  I also moved the battery box and its frame up a bit as I felt it sat too low as supplied.

The obvious difference between the GWR and LMS palethorpes van underframes is the tie bars on the former.  This is where the inside bearing design of Ian’s chassis comes up trumps as if W irons move this would be a big problem. I replaced the brake shoes with Churward ones from the mainly trains etch and made new solebars from plastic U section.  The battery box was from scratch and the buffers are MJT.  Springs axleboxes and end steps are from Rumney models and the churchward dynamo from ABS.

The bits you never see. Regular readers will know I have a bit of thing for this stuff.