Dad-1 - Workbench - West Bay Wagon Works

[Dad-1]

I was counting wagons going past as I drifted off to sleep last night.
I don't think I can resist having a couple more of these Mink 'A' kits
It's the range of options that's got me hooked, not inhaling glue fumes.

You have options V12, V14, V16, early versions with the louvre shutters,
but these were later converted to the two bonnet vents. They also came
as fitted, or hand braked only. Then the buffers changed in production
and later conversions.
I run my layout in two epochs, either GWR/LMS, or early BR. While GWR
needs dark greys, best all very slightly different, you need either bauxite
for fitted and grey for unfitted for any lasting into early BR days.

O.K. What do you make ?? The clubs GWR variant I made (picture about 4
pages back) was a V12 louvred vents and fitted brakes. My initial build from
last evening will be V12 louvred vents unfitted. My second current kit will be
GWR, but a V14 with bonnet vents and fitted. I do fancy being able to run one
in a BR train, leading to a requirement for 2 more, one fitted and one unfitted.

Easy to see why my wagon collection is getting out of control. I promised myself
I'd not exceed 500 ...............

Geoff T.

[Dave]

Easy to see why my wagon collection is getting out of control. I promised myself
I'd not exceed 500 .....

There is a very good retirement home for 16 ton minerals that I can recommend

[Lysander]

Nurse will see you now Geoff.....

Tony

[Dad-1]

MMMmmm 2 more Mink 'A' ordered today.
A lost cause, anyway I've all but finished the two Lowfits, all they
need is tidying up and weathering.





One NE, the other BR (E). I did unravell the differences, the Parkside kit was a true LNER
design and build, while the Bachmann version is a BR production hence the change from
wooden solebars to steel. I now have 6 of these, 4 Bachmann and these two kit versions.

Geoff T.

[Lysander]

Very neat lettering there.

Tony

[Dad-1]

Thanks for the kind comment Tony,

The ModelMaster decal sheet is now included with Peco releases of this kit.
I thought the size was slightly small, but I wasn't going to see what else may
be here, made as supplied.

Mass production ?



First the clubs V12 in fitted condition with end number and louvre shutter vents.

Second my V12 unfitted probably no end number and louvre shuuter vent.

Third my V14 fitted bonnet end vents to be BR bauxite ?

Two more on the way !!

Geoff T

[Dad-1]

Nearly to the painting stage.
Here is my personal line of Parkside PC84 GWR/BR V12; V14; V16 wagons.



Now I don't know if it was a packing mistake, or Peco are changing what's included in this kit,
but the last 2 had one small sprue missing 'Pt.17' on the instruction sheet. This small sprue
has the buffer heads for the early Louvre Vent version of this kit, plus 2 hooks and a couple
of drop side door stops that are obviously for use in some other kit.
While the new packaging has a small ModelMaster decal sheet now included the wording on that
had me anxious as it clearly states "PC84 Ex GWR Mink, Mink 'A' V12, V14, V16" and only includes
decals for these vans in BR use

I wanted these as GWR first and foremost !! In particular the early louvred vent shutters of V12.
I have emailed Peco and await their comment. It's of no immediate concern as the two I wanted
with the Louvre end vents have already been made for my earlier kits. In the previous packaging
you have 4 hooks, 2 on the small missing sprue and 2 on the other main gray sprues.

So my production has been :-
V12 10T Fitted with early large GW side markings (for club layout)
V12 10T Unfitted with smaller GW side markings
V14 12T Fitted with very small GW marking by van number
V14 12T Fitted in BR Bauxite
V16 12T Unfitted ....... Yet to be decided, may do as BR grey ?

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

Just like people - every one the same !!



Progress, so slow while waiting for paints to dry hard enough for adding a Klear seal before
putting decals on.
A decision has been made regarding the lightest grey (unpainted plastic) version. It'll have
to be GWR grey, just the one in Bauxite for BR livery.

Next ...... I think perhaps a rest ?

Geoff T.

[Mountain]

Very nice. I love to see things being made.

Umm. "Just like people. Every one the same".... Haha. You've not met me as yet!

[Delboy]

Geoff your workbench thread is really interesting with some excellent modelling skills throughout. It’s taken me a bit of time to catch up but I’m up to speed now.

[Dad-1]

Mountain,

I think you missed the Irony/Humour in the comment

"Just like people - every one the same"

Look at the picture ..... every one the same ?
No, they are all vans, but some are fitted with axle guards, one unfitted without
an axle guard and one unfitted with axle guard. Differing body colours and roof
colours.

A crowd of people is similar, just a crowd of people until you focus in and truly look.

That was the challenge

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

At least one is now 'dressed'.
An unfitted V12 with the slightly later & smaller GW side markings.



This is a cheat as I've not yet added the wagon end numbers.
HMRS Decals, not difficult to put on with the exception of the dot in the tare weight !!

The others - later.

Geof T.

[Dad-1]

Now all but weathering, a V14 with fitted brakes.
Again with the smaller GW side markings, but no end numbers for this van



Note the extra tare weight from vacuum brakes and piping as well as the
tie bar between W irons.

Geoff T.

[Lysander]

Very neat work Geoff. you've probably mentioned this before, but what weight are your vans?

Tony

[Dad-1]

Hi Tony,

A complete subject in itself !
I run long trains, or my dream (nightmare) layout Castell Mawr does. It's therefore necessary to run as light as I can with total reliability.
I can run some unweighted, but certainly the Ratio GWR 5 plank wagons are super light and in trains of up to 12 wagons they seem to be
O.K, but too near the edge ! In these vans I've used tuppenny pieces, they're slightly narrower than the van and using gel superglue I stick
them in, queens head uppermost, (respect you know !) Someone once told me they're about 7 grams each, meaning all the ones from this build
have 14 grams in all. I've previously used self adhesive car alloy wheel balance weights, either a 5 gram at each end, or a 10 gram in the
middle.
I believe excessive weight only increases the potential difficulties by creating too much drag. I've always though reversing tests reveal
potential difficulties that are all too often nothing to do with actual weight. With a small amount of lead into the underside framing of
my two recent Lowfits I've been able to reverse a train of 20 wagons around St Oval with it's 1st radius curves and 3 set-track points,
I will admit only 1 point has a diverging route.
In my opinion reasons for de-railing : No.1 miss matched couplings, be that type, or height. No.2 Defective trackwork, No.3 Excessive rock
due to a twisted chassis. Way-out back to back measurements. No.4 Buckled or damaged wheels. No.5 Excessively tight, or loose axle box.

I can hear somebody say their trackwork is fine - Think again, particularly points. We are having trouble with Marcway points where there is
no jiggle and reversing wagons can have their flange catch at the small ridge where the switch & stock rails meet. I've even had similar trouble
with a Peco point.

Tony I've rambled on a lot to give as much detail as I can for everybody and anybody who may have derailing problems. I know you're onto
all these wrinkles.

Geoff T.