Permanent Way Train

so these are the kits I've had for a while, I may well add to the train with more, possible the Connoisseur's Macway that i'm building.




I've chosen Peco wagons here as they go together really quickly, and come with three point suspension as standard, sprung buffers and wheels are included. If you fancy starting in O gauge I can strongly recommend them





This is a kit I've built and used a few times. Has full suspension and they run superbly on the track-work. I will make this into a flat wagon for the 2 ton crane kit. There's only 2 left in the to do pile so Ill build both at the same time.







So first up is the 2 ton crane kit. Bodies are a resin, with no clean up required. Match truck is three parts, body and two tool storage lids.







basic instructions, but easy to follow



My favourite job with white metal kits....NOT!!! Drilling out the buffers. The large set are for the Match truck.





Once drilled and cleaned up they are simply glued into place.



repeat process for the smaller set on the crane body



nice touch. The coupling hooks and chain where already made up. Cheers Gladiator Kits.They just require blackening using gun blue.



my second favourite job with white metal kits...go easy you don't want to drill right the way through.Ive used a piece of tape on the drill to show the depth.


Missed a picture or two here, but after drilling the axles guards where glued into place one side only on both wagons with JB Weld. Once dry, add the wheels sets and then the second set of axle guards and add glue. I used an elastic band around the axle guards to hold it all in place while the glue set over night

So while the glue sets on to the crane itself. Lots of nice small parts. You could go the easy way and glue these together or if you can solder them up carfully








Now the jib is supplied as a white metal single part, but it does look a little large. So included in the kit are two side etches and some wire to make your own up.First I used the white metal one to give me the angle which was drawn on a piece of wood, i then used my dremmel and followed the lines to cut a shallow groove along the line allowing the etch to sit in the groove at 90 degrees to the wood. Secure in place. This now allows you to add the wire top and bottom first to secure the two side frames together, then just start adding the other pieces.





Snip off the excess and dress up with a file. Which do you prefer?





add the jib to the crane assembly



Spot my error.....too many kits on the work bench and lots of different wheel sets. The crane got the incorrect sized wheels which are for another to be built kit, hence the different buffer heights....not to hard to replace them with the correct ones.


Test push around the track work, and all is well



Paul Bartlett web page has loads of photos and I found this one with some interesting details on the buffer head stock


So up for a small challenge, I had a look in the spares box and found some chains and some etched hooks which looked like they might do the job



added to both wagons as per the photos on Paul's web page.
I've no idea what whey are for so if anyone can enlighten me please do so





And again posed on the layout in primer ready for painting.











Posed with the Permanent way converted brake van (Peco Kit)

 

Next wagons are the Peco chassis kits, with added plasticard sides and a scribed lead "timber" floor





Once the plasticard has dried the corners get some etched braces and some added plasticard detailing.



They are a very straight forward kit to put together, I have done a how to on these before but cant find the link at the moment.



Brake van next, again a very easy assembly, which went so fast i forgot to take pictures. But this one does show the rocking suspension at one end, sole bars literally clip in and buffer beam clip on to the ends, then just dab some mek around the joints and allow the dry.




Brake van completed and primed ready for a darker grey paint and transfers, which are supplied in the kits from Peco, making them excellent value for money. As with all plastic kits like brake vans and box vans I've added a brace in between the two sides to hopefully stop any warping and also there's a lump of lead glue to the inside base.


Four plank open has been modelled with one drop door in the down position. Once these models have been painted in a darker GWR grey I will add the buffers and blackened couplings, and then finally the transfers.


Permanent way steel wagon,again a straight forward assembly





Pig iron wagon and the second modified chassis kit to the left



I found a part started, lots of bit missing van kit which I think is a MR meat van???, managed to make a few repairs on it and found a few parts to finish it off. May use this in the trains as a tool van

 

Five days on and off, plus the etched BR brake van and GWR toad from Jim. Finished off a Slater SR six wheeled brake van and a Slater BR 20 Ton brake van which I started 18 months ago.

 

Toto, it's an interesting kit, with three different materials to solder and glue together. If you choose to use the white metal jib, then you could assemble the whole kit using glue only.
Look forward to seeing your build http://www.click
Kim

 

An update to the Permanent way train. Still waiting for some transfers and there's more detailing to add to the wagons which will beloads and tools and general track-way clutter.

 

Forgot to ask, for suggestion re wagons loads / clutter, if you have any pictures or links please let me know. Kim

 

Forgot to ask, for suggestion re wagons loads / clutter, if you have any pictures or links please let me know. Kim

 

Thanks Chris, Jinty still needs a bit more detailing.
Thanks for the load suggestions

Cheers Ianvolvo46, yes nice to build a whole train using kits (excluding the loco)

Thanks Gary. The gun blue was purchased from my local gun shop, I’ve just googled gun blue and found this :-
https://www.berettaaustralia.com.au/accessories/gun-maintenance/birchwood-casey-perma-blue

Kim