And now for something completely different, a new Cambrian kit for a Herring, a GW-designed, but mostly contractor-built small ballast hopper. I see that
Jim Smith Wright has done one already and as his example shows, it builds up quite nicely. That won't stop me making a few amendments for the sake of finesse and durability, however.
Here's the contents of the bag. Note the one-piece chassis moulding which takes the traditional "can I build this square?" question that Cambrian hopper kits have traditionally posed:
The first set of modifications concern the main part of the hopper. I've trimmed off the moulding flash and the representation of the corner reinforcement
from the sides only. These will be replaced with 5 thou' later. I also took the opportunity to fill the moulded holes for the grab rails and will reinstate them when the time comes.
Hopper body on chassis and more future modifications on the horizon. There are v-hangers at the ends for the vac' brake gear and these will be replaced in brass sheet and the other larger vees may yet follow: I've had to rebuild one already. The brake levers certainly will be replaced in brass. Were I intent of batch or rake building, an etch would definitely be called for but as a one off, I'm happy to fret something out.
As Jim said, there's a reasonable amount of flash, which is unusual for recent Cambrian kits but given the shape involved, I guess that mould pressure might be an issue. Still, I think the rest shouldn't pose too many problems. I will, naturally, be doing one with the upright vac' pipe, lovely detail that.
http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brherring/h193152ea#h176a8e8b
Adam