Connoisseur Models LNER Braked Tube Wagon

I’m sure Rob will be watching for my errors on this one....

So it’s time to start one of 4 kits from Jim’s range. Here we have a 1993 PMK kit (pocket money kit)
So tonight it’s time to RTFI and get to grips with what I’m in for. First look at the etches , it looks straight forward. Lots of over lays to do, so I will be taking a leaf out of Rob’s book and using very small amounts of solder to sweat them together to avoid major clean up issues.

 

Yes Rob, I had noted that they are a scale 30ft similar to the smaller bogie bolsters I have. Do you add any form of suspension / movement to the axles on your builds for wagons like this?

one thing I have noticed reading the instructions (yes I know ...shock horror..he reads instructions) Jim has updated them from the ones supplied with the kit, so I suggest anyone who may have one of these older kits to check Jim’s web site and down load the updated versions.

http://www.jimmcgeown.com/Wagon Kit Pages/LNER Tube Wagon Instructions pdf.pdf

 

Cheers Rob, I’ve never used them, are they straight forward to fit?
Kim

 

Thanks Rob, looking at the web site it appears the 100cm wagon version are the ones I need then when using 3’1” wheels as stated with this kit ?(100cm works out at 39.37 inches)

 

Cheers again a Rob.
Well I’ve ordered a selection, some from Walsall Models and I’ve run out of Bill Bedfords ones as well so I’ve placed an order with Eileen Emporium for several sets to see me sorted over the next few builds.
Exactoscale versions, where’s the best place to order these from Rob?

so back to the build. There’s a fair few strapping overlays on this build so not to many rivets to punch out. The main body has a fair few to do so this is the first job. Now I’m old school (tight !) no rivet punch tool for me when a brummie screw driver and an old screw driver with the end shaped to a pencil then slightly flattened gives a reasonable rivet detailing. A few practise hits on some of the etch to get into the rhythm and away you go......

The main body removed from the etch needs all four sides bending up. Now these are quite deep sides so they don’t fit tight to the bending jig, luckily Jim has made a deep fold line so it’s a straight forward job bending them with a ruler and a flat surface.

Sides are one long overlay and two smaller end one that Jim recommends you solder up along the edges whilst the two pieces are clamped together.....

 

Ah that would explain it. I tried a few places but to no joy. No worries I’ve a few hopefully on their way from the UK

 

I had a look on the net and found some great reference pictures of similar styled wagons.

https://www.watercressline.co.uk/archive/The-Works/Wagons/35.html

https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brlnertube/h2E382E5B#h2e382e5b

now the main thing that jumps out to me is the hinge detailing along the bottom of the fold down doors. It’s a bit lacking, in my humble opinion on Jim’s kit ( sorry Jim, if your reading this)


http://www.jimmcgeown.com/Wagon Kit Pages/LNER Fitted Tube Wagon.html

‘The strapping etch has a fold back section to give the impression of the hinge......

.....oh dear here I go again.....I think I can make a better representation of the hinge...

oh and while I’m messing about with a perfectly good kit, why not cut it up.....

let’s not forget the main body, let’s cut that up as well

laminate the overlay to the cut out section, solder up the hinge ...

add some wire and solder up the other hinges....

Drill a hole next to the hinge, bend a piece of wire, solder that in the hole

and hey presto a working drop down door........

 

For the door to work correctly there are some white metal door supports that will need to be replaced, so out with some brass sections again.

and the first one added to the door

 

A few hours work today to complete the second support plus adding the strapping over lays.

I think I’m going to leave the other side as fixed but add the brass detailing for the hinges and supports. So next job will be to replicate this process on the adjoining door.

 

Your fault Rob, you and your working doors on the brake vans idea, your a bad influence.