IRCH standard goods vans - wooden framed variant

[Mol_PMB]

Some more progress on detailing up the MGWR van. This time I have drilled holes and inserted fine wire to represent the bolts. 

These vans had different door securing arrangements to the GNR vans. 
The door frame was reinforced too, owing to the lack of roof above it. I’ve elected to leave the middle bit of roof in place on the model but will cover it with a sheet tied down to the new roping eyes on the uprights. 

[Tullygrainey]

Delicate work, nicely done!

[Mol_PMB]

Thanks!

Here is the sheet, made from a Tunnock’s wrapper, some fine wire and some fine thread. 

Once painting is more advanced I will fit it in place, you can imagine what it will look like with the ropes pulled tight and glued around the roping eyes:

The Tunnocks wrappers are thin foil on one side and thin paper on the other. 

[Mol_PMB]

It's taken me a while to get these physically complete, but I've finally achieved it this afternoon. 

With a brief sunny spell between the torrential storms, I was able to get a few photos.

Trio:

GNR vac-fitted:

GNR unfitted, sides overlaid with sheeting:

MGWR convertible (tarpaulin will be added after painting):

They are now having a good wash and dry, and will then move on to the paintshop stage.

But that's for another day - I might see one or two of you in the Waldorf this evening?

[flange lubricator]

Great job . 

[Mol_PMB]

Some progress on painting and lettering the IRCH vans. These are intended to represent the period around 1960.

The one lettered GN will have CIE stencils applied as well, but after I have done a bit of weathering so that they look fresher than the original lettering.

All these have been lettered with a complete mish-mash of decals from different sources, but hopefully a bit of weathering will make them look a bit more consistent!

Before anyone says I can't put a snail on a red-brown van, I have seen photos showing both 4166N and 2057N in this scheme in the early 1960s. Perhaps they were overhauled at Dundalk and came out in GN colours with CIE logos?