unklian
Western Thunderer
I know it is probably unwise to expect a leading toy manufacturer to 'accidently' make a scale model of use to us finescale modellers. But this time they have come so close (again*) in our rather obscure scale.
And it is a bit frustrating. At first I thought it was a stab at a B.R. type, or LMS, but a quick look in Mr Tatlow's book confirmed that they might have been looking at an LNER standard van when they carved the moulds ! So what is wrong with it apart from the crude detailing and 45mm gauge chassis ? It is 17mm too short to match the standard Bachmann Thomas chassis. It is about 8mm too narrow and overall too low as it stands. The corrugations on the ends are the wrong profile and the vent is possibly the wrong size and position.
But now the positives, the sides are the right height, the planks are the right width, the doors are the right width ( albeit missing a bit off the height ), the corrugations are the right number and spacing and the corner plates roughly the right profile. The most noticeable error when buffered up to a scale vehicle is the width really. I think I could live with the length discrepancy and the overall height would get fixed when the chassis is sorted, that just leaves the width problem.
Propped up on spacers so the body is at the right height relative to an old GNR van. Doesn't look too bad ....
Chassis needs a bit of work (!), wrong size wheels, crude brakes, note brake lever 'passing through' w-iron and solebar, buffers at wrong spacing, not to mention the awful G scale couplings. Unfortunately the w-irons whilst far apart are not far enough apart for G3 wheel sets. Much butchery or a new chassis I think .....
Would it be worth it though, they seem to be coming out at the best part of £60 and then you would have to add wheels, buffers, couplings and possibly some brake parts, as well as the detailing work on the body. I might have a go, but don't hold your breath .
* see the Bachmann Thomas 7 plank open wagon. Quite a few have been G3'd but they are a bit narrow looking.
And it is a bit frustrating. At first I thought it was a stab at a B.R. type, or LMS, but a quick look in Mr Tatlow's book confirmed that they might have been looking at an LNER standard van when they carved the moulds ! So what is wrong with it apart from the crude detailing and 45mm gauge chassis ? It is 17mm too short to match the standard Bachmann Thomas chassis. It is about 8mm too narrow and overall too low as it stands. The corrugations on the ends are the wrong profile and the vent is possibly the wrong size and position.
But now the positives, the sides are the right height, the planks are the right width, the doors are the right width ( albeit missing a bit off the height ), the corrugations are the right number and spacing and the corner plates roughly the right profile. The most noticeable error when buffered up to a scale vehicle is the width really. I think I could live with the length discrepancy and the overall height would get fixed when the chassis is sorted, that just leaves the width problem.
Propped up on spacers so the body is at the right height relative to an old GNR van. Doesn't look too bad ....
Chassis needs a bit of work (!), wrong size wheels, crude brakes, note brake lever 'passing through' w-iron and solebar, buffers at wrong spacing, not to mention the awful G scale couplings. Unfortunately the w-irons whilst far apart are not far enough apart for G3 wheel sets. Much butchery or a new chassis I think .....
Would it be worth it though, they seem to be coming out at the best part of £60 and then you would have to add wheels, buffers, couplings and possibly some brake parts, as well as the detailing work on the body. I might have a go, but don't hold your breath .
* see the Bachmann Thomas 7 plank open wagon. Quite a few have been G3'd but they are a bit narrow looking.
