Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
I'm not sure where to go with this build. There are several aspects to it that make it novel, at least to me.
A while ago, I received an email enquiry about building some 7mm scale coaches. Nothing strange about that. Three coaches? No problem. GWR broad gauge? Interesting, but I can't see a problem. Client in Australia? Okay, I'm up for a challenge!
Anyway, the initial contact was regarding a passenger brake van to diagram V8. It seemed the accepted method to get a BG V8 was to hack about an existing "narrow gauge" kit. The kit in question is a V13 PBV, and the modifications involve a cut'n'shut manoeuvre on the sides, shortening and widening the underframe, and new ends to match the wider body.
The client happily shipped the kit to me, on spec as it were, so I could assess things properly and get back to him with my thoughts.
Cutting a long story short, after some research over at the Broad Gauge Society web site, and some very helpful email exchanges with the society's stores man, we were all set to get the right bits to begin operations.
Then I noticed there was a V8 body kit in the stores list. That would make a heck of a difference. Indeed, that's what we've ended up with.
The underframe is still for the narrow V13, and requires shortening and widening. I'm still pondering the best way to approach that.
This is the stuff that came from the BGS. The bag of castings included a brake cylinder and the oil lamp tops.
This lot is the detail parts from Slater's and CPL. I still need to get some decent sprung hornblocks, and I think the ones from Roxey will be just the ticket.
The BGS supplied the wheels, too. Sadly, they were the wrong ones, so I've just popped them back in the post and I await a set of Mansell coach wheels.
If this build goes okay, there ought to be two more BG coaches, and I think the V13 I have in hand will also be built at some point. The client has a mixed gauge layout, which will be a treat to see. The plan is to try and get this van finished to coincide with a visit to Blighty later in the year. That way it may survive the trip home in one piece!
Don't expect this build to spark into life quickly. I keep taking the parts out to study them, pulling the books out, and poring over the few bits of information the client managed to find for me, and then putting it all carefully back on the shelf again. Acquiring the detail parts has spurred me on a little, so I think I shall cut some metal soon.
Thing is, I'd rather get on with the WD or the 10001, but then again, we have a deadline for a change.
A while ago, I received an email enquiry about building some 7mm scale coaches. Nothing strange about that. Three coaches? No problem. GWR broad gauge? Interesting, but I can't see a problem. Client in Australia? Okay, I'm up for a challenge!
Anyway, the initial contact was regarding a passenger brake van to diagram V8. It seemed the accepted method to get a BG V8 was to hack about an existing "narrow gauge" kit. The kit in question is a V13 PBV, and the modifications involve a cut'n'shut manoeuvre on the sides, shortening and widening the underframe, and new ends to match the wider body.
The client happily shipped the kit to me, on spec as it were, so I could assess things properly and get back to him with my thoughts.
Cutting a long story short, after some research over at the Broad Gauge Society web site, and some very helpful email exchanges with the society's stores man, we were all set to get the right bits to begin operations.
Then I noticed there was a V8 body kit in the stores list. That would make a heck of a difference. Indeed, that's what we've ended up with.
The underframe is still for the narrow V13, and requires shortening and widening. I'm still pondering the best way to approach that.
This is the stuff that came from the BGS. The bag of castings included a brake cylinder and the oil lamp tops.
This lot is the detail parts from Slater's and CPL. I still need to get some decent sprung hornblocks, and I think the ones from Roxey will be just the ticket.
The BGS supplied the wheels, too. Sadly, they were the wrong ones, so I've just popped them back in the post and I await a set of Mansell coach wheels.
If this build goes okay, there ought to be two more BG coaches, and I think the V13 I have in hand will also be built at some point. The client has a mixed gauge layout, which will be a treat to see. The plan is to try and get this van finished to coincide with a visit to Blighty later in the year. That way it may survive the trip home in one piece!
Don't expect this build to spark into life quickly. I keep taking the parts out to study them, pulling the books out, and poring over the few bits of information the client managed to find for me, and then putting it all carefully back on the shelf again. Acquiring the detail parts has spurred me on a little, so I think I shall cut some metal soon.
Thing is, I'd rather get on with the WD or the 10001, but then again, we have a deadline for a change.
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