EM Gauge Layouts, Models & Projects

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These 12 ton vans have been weathered using the usual matt enamel grime mix with some rust colour highlights. B767293 was chosen to model because of the rusty steel repair plate fixed on top of part of the number.

B761490 shows the fresh paint patches for the recently applied stencilled markings.

Plywood door B774125 carries framed markings typical of the mid-1970s.

The last of the group shows framed markings on a 1970s general re-paint.

Blue spot Fish Van E87547 to BR diagram 1/801 was a BR version of the standard LNER fish van of 1948. Although finished in eye catching white - or later ice blue - basic colour, with the large blue spot indicating fish traffic, the high milages between Scotland and London run by the type caused them usually to be in dirty external condition. This wagon is modelled to a photograph taken at Aberdeen in the mid-sixties, and has been locally cleaned over the wagon markings.

An ice blue version of the same type, E87893 shows the post 1963 BR livery for insulated vans. These models were scratchbuilt in plasticard using Parkside chassis parts.

The LMS 12T Van, M509745, has now been completed with an early BR livery and overall weathering.

BR Dia 1/219 Shocvan-Palvan B854518 is shown in a condition based on Paul Bartlett photographs of the type from the 1970s.

M178129 ex-LMS metal-side van from 1930, vans lacking vacuum brakes such as this were eliminated by BR during the early-sixties. This model was based on a photograph from 1962, and the design was unusual for having metal sides as well as ends. One of this type is now preserved on the GCR at Loughborough.

Van B752654 to BR diagram 1/202 is an example of how BR adopted existing wagon building programmes in the first couple of years after nationalisation. This filled the vacuum while new 'standard' designs were being formulated. This design, from Ashford works in 1949, is to the basic Southern Railway ply-sided pattern, but with some early BR influences on the underframe. It is modelled in post-1964 condition with the new 'datablock' style markings applied on patches of fresh paint, and would have probably survived in traffic until the early seventies.

This is a late version 12 ton van (Dia 1/213). The model is a combination of the Parkside ply-sided bodyshell and the Red Panda chassis, allowing the 8 shoe clasp-brake pattern to be featured. It has been numbered B780307 to match a worksplate I picked up at a railwayana sale a while ago.

B777623 is the late-version 12 ton van to BR Diagram 1/208 pictured unpainted last month, it is shown here in finished condition. The model is a combination of the Parkside plank-side / ply-door bodyshell and the Red Panda chassis kit, allowing the correct 8 shoe clasp-brake pattern to be featured.

Dia 1/246 van, running number B882117, with a ‘Geest Bananas’ poster applied and typical weathering for the late 1960s. After the loss of banana traffic to other modes of transport some of these vans saw use as barrier vehicles in chemical-tank trains.

W123971 is a GWR ‘Mogo’ van, built using the Ratio kit, completed as it appeared in 1964. BR retained the GWR wagon code for the type, and the loader has helpfully chalked the suggested end for unloading to judge by ‘OUT’ and the arrow!

Ex-LNER van E243462. Although this was a kit-bash of a Parkside plank-ended van kit, I now realise the steel-ended Dia 116 type is available in kit form within the Parkside range and also r-t-r from Bachmann……!

887158 Canada Road gunpowder van.

A pair of class 20s head a southbound van train through Wibdenshaw. These wagons have been detailed and weathered by Paul James, and a selection of these Eastwell Ironstone vans are featured below.

Eastwell vans.

Eastwell van.

An ex-LNER fish van stands in front of the new embankment at Hartburn.

Morfa Bank Sidings.

Shenston Road.

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Long Wheel Base Vans

A change from the usual short wheelbase stock on Canada Street, COV AB 200062 is based on the excellent Bachmann model and has just been re-painted and weathered. The early examples of this design were vacuum piped in addition to the air brakes, allowing them to run within vacuum fitted trains. The model is in the original livery carried from new, which was retained by some into the early 1980s.

Another van of the same type, 200237 has the new 'Railfreight' logo applied on a maroon patch over the original bauxite finish. Many vans appeared this way after the 1976 introduction of the railfreight brand by BR.

Shenston Road - barrier wagon.

Shenston Road.

Wibdenshaw VBA.

Belgian Ferry Wagon. The type was kindly identified by Adam Chapman from a photo I took at Halifax in the late 1970s. Having found a drawing I worked out that the bodyside louvres were pretty much identical to those on the Belgian version, and I just happened to have a suitable ‘donor’ model. In fact those and the axlebox/springs were the only bits that were actually used, the rest going in the bin! Otherwise from styrene, with Bill Bedford axleguards, Lanarkshire buffers (very close match), tie-down cleats/hooks (Wizard) and various other bits from the spares box. Transfers came from the same Railtec sheet as the BR version – it doesn’t quite provide all of what you need, but most of it can be made up from this source. The roof was made from several laminations of styrene sheet to give the rough shape and then sanded to the correct profile.

This BR Ferry Van is based on the old Hornby model. The body seemed to be fairly accurate, so just has new handrails and some missing vertical framing on the ends. However, it was found to be around 0.8mm too narrow so it was cut in half transversely and widened using Microstrip. Everything on the chassis was cut back to leave just the basic solebars and new underpinnings built up from a variety of sources. These included Bill Bedford sprung W-irons embellished with the original moulded details redeployed as cosmetic features. Some very nice ferry van tie-down cleats and loops came from the Wizard Models range. Finding appropriate transfers has been a bit of a challenge and the livery as shown here is perhaps more appropriate for a vehicle in barrier van use.

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