Odsock's Odd Wagons

I have previously made reference to a plan to have a handful of 'wider' O9 stock to run on Odsock Corner with the FK3D 'Druid' and Avalon Line locomotives. The recent 4w coach was the first of these and I can now reveal the next three builds. I say builds, "assemblies" would be more too the point as they all have commercial kit origins...

First up is a Unit Models 1-plank wagon on a Peco 10ft chassis. The primer coat has highlighted a few blow-outs in the casting but these have been filled prior to further painting. As I have a "thing" about not seeing N gauge axleboxes on O9 wagons I have created a set of Black Dog look-alikes to hide them. The Peco N gauge buffer heads form the round section in the centre - sticking them in blu-tac whilst cutting the buffers off saves losing them to the carpet monster!

Next is a 2-plank drop side wagon built from 422 Modelmaking components. You may recall I built one of these before and then sold it on - this new example incorporates learning from that model, largely involving changes to the underframe. I had picked up an alternate underframe casting with no axleboxes and not restricted to using the Peco 10ft chassis (20mm wheelbase), The first action was to narrow it by 3mm in width to move the solebars further in. I then squeezed a 15ft chassis cut down to give a 24mm wheelbase, and I find that the extra 4mm actually makes a big difference to the visual balance of the wagon. Chivers 4mm scale roller bearing axleboxes have been added to hide the Peco originals and Grandt Line nut-bolt-washer mouldings add some extra detail to the bufferbeams.

The two wagons above will run with a Black Dog Mining mine tub as an estate maintenance train, I have a lawnmower kit that I must make up to go in the 1-plank wagon...  A second train will be formed from the open coach with a wagon for luggage (or daring riders). This is a Black Dog style 6 foot 2-plank with added handles on the ends to make it a 'Tops' wagon.

These three wagons are now making progress in the paint shop alongside the coach. It is a while since I've actually painted anything so I am taking it steady to get the best finish. I've also been making up a batch of Greenwich couplers for this micro-fleet which has actually been a lot easier than expected thanks to the new bending/assembly jig available from Light Railway Stores.

Colin