Gladiator Models GCR 10 ton Open Wagon with Trestle Bar

Discussion in 'Wagon Builds' started by Rob Pulham, Jan 2, 2019.

  1. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Having spent all my Christmas break building things for other people I decided to take a day out to build something for me. I had a look in my kit stash and came up with a Gladiator kit for a GCR 10 ton Open Wagon which Chris bought me from Geoff Stratford just before he sold Gladiator To David and Trisha Hill.

    So far it has been excellent to build with all parts fitting as they should and the only bits of fettling were to remove some off the ends of the sole bars to enable them to fit under the lip of the bottom of the buffer plank.

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    Due to the sides being made up of a couple of layers of reasonable thickness brass the wagon even at this stage has a satisfying weight to it.
     
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  2. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Laminated sides look great, Rob, even the 'Jidenco' one I did turned out quite well, despite doing the laminated sides with my plumbers torch.......still, at least the brass sides didn't soak away the heat faster than the torch could generate!:giggle:

    Keith.
     
  3. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Keith,

    I used a combination of my 80 watt Ersa and the microflame. I suspect that a 40 watt iron wouldn't remotely touch it.....
     
  4. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Minor health issues this week have stopped play for a few days so it was only last night when I made more progress.

    The open wagon is well on it's way now and it just needs the trestle bar and final details.

    I also need to work out just how to spring the buffers because they are turned brass heads that are designed for springing with a piece of piano type wire passing between them and the coupling hook tail.

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    Aside from the buffers it's a lovely kit to build with everything fitting as and where it should.
     
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  5. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Another session last night saw the GC open is almost finished, it just needs retaining chains for the side doors on the other side and the buffers fitting properly - just posed here for the photos.

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    The inside is nicely detailed albeit the bottom doors are for the version without the trestle bar so mine will be tarped when finished so they won't be visible.

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    I will definitely be adding more of these to a shopping list in the future.
     
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  6. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    The eagle eyed amongst you will also note that I have attacked the rather square profile of the coupling hook with some diamond coated burrs that fit my Dremel

    In true Blue Peter fashion - Before:
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    After:
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    It looks more like a proper coupling hook now
     
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  7. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Nicely done Rob
     
  8. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Lovely work! I always like the look of brass models when they're built but not painted.

    Matt
     
  9. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Lovely work Rob. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    Have you brushed in some wood grain to the side planks or is that a result of cleaning ??

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  10. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Gary,

    It's just the result of cleaning with a wire brush so far.
     
  11. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    The mojo has been struggling recently but I have managed to get a coat of grey paint on the ex GC open. Warren Haywood kindly put some primer on it when I popped over a couple of weeks ago which made life a little easier. Next will be a coat of varnish before masking for the black underframe fittings.

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    While I was painting I also gave the bogies for the Kirk Twins a squirt of black which is another job less down the line.
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2019
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  12. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Work 'on' the workshop, rather than 'in' the workshop has kept me rather busy for the last three or so weeks. The good news is that my workshop is now complete apart from a few tiles and a couple of shelves.

    What has been lacking, is the energy and head space to pick up modelling again and very quickly I found myself making mental excuses for not doing any. The Mojo was well and truly absent!

    The spell was broken by my neighbour asking me to make up some Dingham Couplings for him which he was struggling to solder up. Having done them I surveyed a good number of the shelf queens which when I unpacked them had placed on view around my desk. A couple of them, this GCR wagon included only needed transfers and weathering to complete the build. so Last night and this morning I got stuck in and added the transfers.

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    And yes I do realise that I am working on the wrong shelf queen but I needed to kick start the mojo...
     
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  13. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I'm still suffering from 'lack of mojo' after several months of decorating/heavy gardening, so I know exactly how you feel Rob. Not been into the loft to do any modelling since early March apart from to collect a few tools I'd left up there, but I WILL get back into it and pick up where I left off soon, hopefully!
    Keith.
     
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  14. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Any chance of a picture of the underside to show braking arrangements and rodding etc.

    It looks like a nice wagon., could make it onto my list.

    Cheers

    Toto
     
  15. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Very nice looking model, I missed this build when first posted, a wee Gem, and no doubt about to become a wee dirty gem

    Paul
     
  16. Mailman

    Mailman Full Member

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    Nicely done Rob, nice painting and transfer details:thumbs:
     
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  17. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Oh Yes!:cool:
     
  18. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Here you go, the brakes are simple 4 shoe affairs which are controlled independently via the lever on each side.

    Gladiator GCR Open Wagon brakes .jpg
     
  19. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Thanks Rob.

    That keeps it nice and easy.

    Toto
     
  20. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    It does, it's a nice kit to build. It's another from the former Majestic Models range. I have built quite a few of the range which are scattered amongst a few of the suppliers at present (some are with Dragon Models, some with Connoisseur and at least the one with Gladiator) and I have enjoyed all of them. I have another two or three in the stash for when I get to them.
     

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