Trying to go for four conversions at once has proven to be a bit of a mistake, every step seems to take longer than the time I have free to dedicate to it which just slows matters down. But, I have finally got the sides back on.
First two are fundamentally repeats of the all third I've previously made (abet one uses the third compartments from a brake coach) and have gone together fairly straight forwardly.
The third was a sleeping car and will hopefully soon be an all third open. I've managed to cut out the original windows relatively neatly, the next job is to fix new panels to form the windows for the all third.
I was originally going to build her as a ECJS coach until I realised they were all converted into buffet cars in 1933! Fortunately while I had added windows to the ends, I had some spare ends I could swap in so I can finish the build as later GNR versions. Not entirely wasted effort as I'll need those ends for a future conversion.
Finally the most awkward conversion is to create a Sheffield Stock Brake First.
I knew this was going to be awkward from the start. Note the small gap in waist panelling I have to fill and the significant ammount of panelling that needs to be replaced above the waist on both sides.
Compared to doing that opening up the extra window in the guards compartment seemed simple enough, but proved its own headache as I cut away too much material and had to add filler to shrink the opening. Fortunately I'm actually quite pleased with the way it is coming together so I'm looking forward to the challenge of replacing the panelling rather than dreading it.
This is proving a long phase of the project, but worth it I hope. It will break the back of the overall project as after these four there are only three brake composites left to modify.
Jim de Griz