The Forum for Gauge 3 Model Trains

Rolling Stock => Wagons => Topic started by: Richard T on Jun 07 2009 17:47

Title: Re: Wagon & Carriage Works Kits
Post by: Richard T on Jun 07 2009 17:47
Not trying to be negative here, but I'm puzzled by this obsession with buffer stops.
For someone showing an interest in G3, and who has no track, rolling stock or motive power, I suspect a buffer stop would be the last item on the list.
I for one would not be in the market for a buffer stop, seeing as I have not laid my track as yet ( but it's the next project)

I would have thought some items to support the rolling stock/ loco builder would be of more value.

Making sure we don't tread on any of the manufacturers feet.

I've just built a couple of Wagon and Carriage etched brass kits, the LBSC ballast wagon and the GC box van, neither of which have any castings available.
So I was thinking, instead of making 4 end stanchions for each vehicle, a couple of patterns would save extra effort, put them in a mould and they could be made available to society members.
I have a friendly caster available so if there are any other suitable patterns available from members, in metal or plastic or anything else they could go in the same mould.

Just an idea.


Regards
Richard













Regards
Title: Re: Wagon & Carriage Works Kits
Post by: jbs on Jun 07 2009 20:43
Richard,

I have also purchased the Wagon and Carriage ballast wagon and box van etches. I would be interested in a set of castings for each if you go ahead.

Regards,

John Smith
Title: Re: Wagon & Carriage Works Kits
Post by: John Candy on Jun 07 2009 22:25
I will not comment on the buffer stop point now but I am also in the position of having constructed a lot of stock and being on the point of turning to construction of a line!

Regarding castings for The Wagon & Carriage Works kits, I have just constructed both the LNER Refrigerator van and the GCR van.

I produced patterns and moulds as required for both kits and made both resin and whitemetal castings, including the buffers and axleboxes for the GCR van (I will take a photo of the parts and add them later).

I have written very detailed articles on the construction of both kits and these will appear in the Newsletter in due course but if you need advice on modifications to and detailing of these kits now, I am willing to send you a crib sheet.
Title: Re: Wagon & Carriage Works Kits
Post by: MikeWilliams on Jun 08 2009 00:38
Your point is well made Richard, but (you knew that was coming!!) the Gauge 3 Society tries to be independent of all manufacturers and even handed.  Would it be right for it to incur the cost of making parts to complete a kit from one commercial firm?  If that firm considered there was a demand and therefore a profit surely he would have made the patterns anyway?  Presumably to sell these parts we would promote them, thereby publicising one manufacturer above others?  I wouldn't like to upset the other manufacturers who are also members and may feel alienated.

I agree the kit would be much more useful with castings.  Perhaps purchasers could approach the manufacturer and work together to bring the missing bits to market, especially as John has already done the hard work and made the patterns?

Mike
Title: Re: Wagon & Carriage Works Kits
Post by: Richard T on Jun 08 2009 01:22
Maybe I worded the post wrongly, I was not suggesting the society financed the production of patterns/moulds.

I was/am going to do that anyway and have them professionally produced for me and anyone else who would find them useful.

Regards
Richard
Title: Re: Wagon & Carriage Works Kits
Post by: Richard T on Jun 08 2009 01:26
Thanks John for the offer of your crib sheet, but I have completed the van ( and ballast wagon ) both using a well known G3 manufacturer's running gear.

Regards
Richard
Title: Re: Wagon & Carriage Works Kits
Post by: John Candy on Jun 08 2009 07:08
Richard,
As a matter of interest, in which livery are you proposing to finish your GCR van (GCR/CLC/LNER or BR)?
I have not yet decided (it will be either GCR or LNER) and transfers for GCR and CLC livery may be added to a custom sheet which I shall be ordering in the near future (I have a batch of GNR 19ft vans under construction one of which will be a non-fitted CLC version to add variety).
Regards,
John.