A while ago I did a batch of shock opens including an attempt at an ex-LMS diagram 1983 variant. Justin of Rumney Models noticed that I had used the same ends as the BR version with inset corrugations while the LMS wagon has corrugations that stick out.  Something I had completely failed to notice myself.  So that wagon had its top lip removed and renumbered back to a BR one.  A new kit was brought (well a few actually – saves on postage!) and a second attempt made using cut down spare ends from a Parkside 12t van kit. The BR version is at the back.  Theres a few other differences too like the bang plates for the doors, the shape of the panelling on the ends and the braces under the door.

The finished wagon in the company of yet another D2150 13t open.

The BR wagon has had a Rumney models sheet rail added and been mated with a clasp brake chassis to produce a D1/040 variant. Buffers are from Lanarkshire Models.

Moving on to a couple of hoppers. First up the Accurascale 24.5t hopper which i picked up cheaply from a private sale on Western Thunder.  It came in brown livery and with a certificate saying it was a limited edition number 061 of 500.  If this sort of thing matters to you and you have one you will be pleased to know that your model is now even more limited being 1 of 499 (You’re welcome!).  It was separated into its component parts (a process that had already started in the box) and the body resprayed.  These are not a straight drop in wheels job as the axles used are a little short and theres a boss on the back of the W-iron, much like Lima was doing 40+ years ago. Its not a huge problem though as a few turns of a bearing cutter (I use Ed’s tool) and a little bit of thinning the boss down and off you go.  I also cut off the NM pockets.

What is a little bit more of an issue is it doesn’t weigh anything, just  21 grammes out of the box.  Obviously if you plan to run your wagons loaded no problem but if you want them empty (as  did ) then a little bit of trickery is required.

My solution was to make new lower sides from 1mm lead.  This brings the wagon up to 50 grammes.  If you would like to follow suit I drew up a little cutting template which you can download from here

Another parkside 21 tonner based on a picture that came up on my facebook feed. (some of the wagons in the post are waiting a delivery of couplings you may notice).  Theres often a discussion when these kits crop up that they are difficult to build but they really aren’t.  The trick is to assemble a side and end as 2 pairs on a piece of glass with a cutting matt to ensure they are square,  let these set fully before assembling the rest of the wagon and theres no problems  Any slight gaps between the panels can be filled from the inside using Mr Surfacer 1000 liquid filler.

Now a few oddballs – this is an ex L&Y diagram 81 loco coal wagon from the old MAJ models kit.  The kit is supplied with a wooden chassis which is correct for the earlier wagons but i wanted the later one so only used the body. The brake gear on these were a little weird to say the least

The plan is to have a short train of condemned wagons that is delivered to the yard as a trip working from Bescot. These are then to be collected by one of the Round Oak locos to be taken away for scrapping and the metal bits melted down in the furnaces. This is basically what happened and quite a few locos met their fate this way in real life.  Unlike some of the more famous railway scrap yards stuff didn’t hand around for long so nothing from my scrap train will have any hope of reprieve sadly.  The condemned markings are from Railtec,

Another victim this time a GWR diagram 04 open from the cooper craft kit.  Like another Coopercraft kit I’ve built this has the bearing holes mounted too low meaning that the wagon looked like it was on stilts.  This one has slightly odd brake gear as well.  You can just make out the old GW branding.

The LMS traction truck has finally been mated with its load.

Also based on a picture that cropped upon my facebook feed is this Borail from the Cambrian kit.  Making the load was far from the most interesting task I’ve ever done I can tell you and despite it being essentially hollow this wagon still hovered up 5 meters of rail!