Adapting British wagons to Irish prototypes

[jhb171achill]

Just putting up a few notes here, triggered by conversations following the introduction of Leslie’s latest wagon releases.

The lack of anything suitable for a BCDR layout has been mentioned, in response to which mention was made of a Kernow-made brake van that could double as a BCDR one.

Between Provincial, JM Design and IRM, much attention has been paid to CIE (and constituent) and GNR stock, but not so much to the smaller companies like the NCC and BCDR. With a seemingly growing interest in the UTA area, I’ll post the odd thing here if I see wagons that might fit that bill - conversion or repaints of off-the-shelf British stuff to look at least vaguely Irish.

Of course, Provincial Wagons have got the ball rolling with the famous and unique NCC “brown van”….

Any other ideas? 

Edited yesterday at 11:01 by jhb171achill

[Tullygrainey]

As a modeller of the BCDR, I’m always on the lookout for RTR models or kits that could be hacked into something approximating County Down stock and I have to say the pickings are pretty slim both for locomotives and rolling stock. Honourable mention must be made here of @leslie10646's Dapol conversions of BCDR opens and EDSS coal wagons which were/are beacons of hope in an otherwise empty space.  More often than not, scratch building is the better option. Even that Kernow brake van will need a fair bit of work.

As regards rolling stock, one of the most prominent features but also one of the biggest modelling challenges is the outside W-irons commonly seen on BCDR stock. If these are present on a model, it’s already well on the way to being convincingly BCDR to the extent that other inaccuracies can become less noticeable.

I have used an etch from Dart Castings’ MJT range to model W-irons but it requires a tedious amount of cutting and soldering to produce something convincing yet even then not quite accurate. I have searched in vain for ready made etches that might make the job a bit easier.

To end on a less pessimistic note, a Midland Railways 8 ton 3 plank drop side wagon from Slater's 4mm range of plastic kits provides a reasonable basis for a BCDR 8 ton open.

Alan

 

Edited yesterday at 14:00 by Tullygrainey

[David Holman]

I think the RCH tank wagon, of Irish Shell and others was one of the very few types to make it across the water. I made one from the Slater's kit for Northport Quay, but it is a static model at the moment because clearances for 36.75mm gauge are too tight for its very prototypical chassis.

[Mayner]

Back in the day would you believe 2013-14 Nelson Jackson as a teenager built some convincing models of NCC and possibly BCDR stock complete with their distinctive outside W Irons using a mixture of kit bashing and scratchbuilding techniques. Outside W irons seem to have been fabricated out of plasticard.

Also built a NIR 70Class railcar set & British outline stock, all to a consistentlly high standard of modelling

 

[jhb171achill]

19 minutes ago, Mayner said:

Back in the day would you believe 2013-14 Nelson Jackson as a teenager built some convincing models of NCC and possibly BCDR stock complete with their distinctive outside W Irons using a mixture of kit bashing and scratchbuilding techniques. Outside W irons seem to have been fabricated out of plasticard.

Also built a NIR 70Class railcar set & British outline stock, all to a consistentlly high standard of modelling

 

I remember that. Especially for a teen, Nelson’s stuff was inspirational.

[Tullygrainey]

34 minutes ago, Mayner said:

Back in the day would you believe 2013-14 Nelson Jackson as a teenager built some convincing models of NCC and possibly BCDR stock complete with their distinctive outside W Irons using a mixture of kit bashing and scratchbuilding techniques. Outside W irons seem to have been fabricated out of plasticard.

Also built a NIR 70Class railcar set & British outline stock, all to a consistentlly high standard of modelling

 

@Dunluce Castle Nelson's W-irons in 20 thou plastic are masterpieces. I always reckoned that was impossible!

[jhb171achill]

2 minutes ago, Tullygrainey said:

@Dunluce Castle Nelson's W-irons in 20 thou plastic are masterpieces. I always reckoned that was impossible!

As one who modelled extensively with plasticard in MY teens, I couldn’t agree more!