I have a Märklin digital layout which on many levels is very satisfying.
But I started out in the late 1950s with English models and continue to get a lot of pleasure from appropriate modification of some pieces.
On a theme I have built up a few representative pre-group wagons on which subject I have a number of books.
Most of my models are just that - representative. I could never claim they are true to a particular original, though I always use original sources as encouragement.
One is George Dows' Great Central Album (Ian Allan 1969) which I purchased in 1972, and this Fish Van caught my eye at the time.
With acknowledgment to the publisher and author (for private use):
About 10 years later I modified a Tri-ang R11 closed van which was already showing signs of the typical plastic body warping.
It had die-cast underframe and open axle-boxes. By removing doors and cutting off the upper half of the sides I hoped to put a stop to any progressive warping. And so it stayed in the box.
A few months ago I decided to finish it.
Using rod and strip Evergreen styrene I gradually built up the sides and new door.
I use a lot of old Tr-ang wagons because I like the die-cast underframe which provides natural weight, and I have an industrial process where using PTFE hollow rod I fill in the axleboxes and insert proper OO pinpoint axle metal wheels.
(Many early Tri-ang have solid axleboxes where the underframe is split).
I usually retain the brake gear, or remove one side depending on the original, and I grind down the rather bulbous buffers
Cereal box cardboard was suitable for the roof, and the paintwork is Tamiya spray AS28.
At this stage I would like to ask the forum about the underframe colour, which from the photo might be grey rather than black. What do you think?
And here is the finished article with hand lettering due to lack of available decals.
I understand there are a number of glaring errors in this model, so I am obliged to pretend it is an earlier version of the wagon:
1. Original is probably a 10ft wheelbase, and I used 9' 6".
2. I retained the original model ends and used a hybrid bracing.
3. The door should be narrower, but I was constrained by the starting model dimensions.
4. The original photo says it was fitted, and I guess I could fit suitable pipe-work on the ends or pretend it was un-fitted.
5. I still need to put the rail on the sliding door (which does not slide).
Kimball in Brisbane
