Is there any interest in Pre-Lettered P.O. Wagons?

[John Candy]

More than a bit disappointed that there has been so little response/interest shown in the proposal to have batches of wagons lettered by POWSides in a selection of liveries.

In view of the high cost of having "custom" lettering applied by signwriters, I would have expected rather more enthusiasm to have been shown for a low-cost solution to provide some colourful wagons

What is the reason?
Could it be that the "names" selected are not widely sought after or is there really just no interest (perhaps a reflection of the severely restricted market in G3 for such items)?

I have to make a decision within a few days as to how many to order from POWSides (or perhaps even to abandon the idea).

The current proposed liveries are "Quarrite" on a 5-plank tarmacadam wagon and "Brentnall & Cleland" on a 7-plank with end door.

John.

[454]

John,
From my position in POW construction as you know I was enthused by Steve Warrington's offer of Thomas truck bodies for £12.50 each earlier this autumn so as to make easy build PO wagons, the creation of the Flexikit enabled me to proceed with reasonably quick and effective chassis production & have I believe piloted the initial user construction phase by feedback of issues to Mike Williams.

As a consequence I have nearly completed 9 off PO wagons in various guises. 3 of which will be utilising the Barrow Barnsley transfers recently produced. Why 9 off ? That is how many I could eventually buy from Steve W. If there were more available then perhaps I might have been tempted to go beyond 9.

Now as far as interest in POWsides lettering services I am afraid that it has come too late for me as when this set of 9 wagons is complete my focus will be on a goods brake van plus the construction of some bogie coaches.

I think that I could have been reluctant to pursue the POWsides for various reasons. Some timing, cost and some logistical. How to go about it etc. Ok so my DIY exploits may be not up to professional standard but it has been interesting learning all about PO wagons and their construction nevertheless.

As to PO names, there are so many that one could be spoiled for choice. It would be an unenviable task to attempt to cater for all tastes in names.

In the meantime Flexikit chassis plus a Thomas truck body is my preferred wagon fleet strategy. If Steve W releases any more then I just might be tempted.

Regards
Dave
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[John Candy]

Dave,

Yes, you are definitely a "Flexikit" pioneer .... nobody else has yet acquired such a quantity!

You haven't yet tried one of the "full" kits (i.e. with body parts) so I am going to tempt you with an offer!

The bodies are easy to assemble (2 sides, 2 ends plus end stanchions) and can produce a number of configurations.

So, if you obtain another 1923 RCH chassis via Mike, I will send you a pre-production body kit F.O.C. for your evaluation.
You can choose between 7-plank, 8-plank or 5-plank (all with two fixed ends).
The opening end versions of the 7 & 8 plank are not quite ready and will be released after Christmas (my garage needs to warm up a bit...currently 3 degrees C...before I can pour the moulds and commence casting).

Attached is photo of my most recent variation, LMS D2038 "LOCO" coal wagon which has two fixed ends and no bottom doors (built in 1940 and probably intended for rotary tippler use with mechanical coaling towers).
This differs from a standard RCH 7-plank in having "Morton" brakes (rather than the "double brake" of the standard RCH version....possibly a wartime steel economy measure) and steel "T" end stanchions (both LMS and LNER RCH 7-planks had steel rather than timber stanchions.....with a few contractor-built LNER examples being exception to the rule).

Regards,
John.


Would help if I had remembered the attachment....herewith!

[454]

Oh John, lead me not into temptation. Sadly the offer is too irresistable to decline. So my choice will be the 7 planker please as per photo! As I do not have a "Loco Coal" wagon yet.

I looked up the 7 plank D2038 in the LMS wagons book. A pic of a "COND" scrapper greeted me. Yours looks ex works!

Mike will receive an email order from me directly for the Flexikit chassis.

Cheers
Dave
454

[John Candy]

Dave,

Excellent choice!
I will post it to you beginning of next week.

Regards,
John.