The kit comprises:

• Detailed instructions with drawings
• 3D printed body, springs/axlebox and plug in roof.
• Etched brass underframe with rocking compensation (new design)
• Pinpoint Bearings and couplings
• 3D printed buffers with stainless steel heads
• Wire
• Requires 3’1” equivalent wheel, either closed or open spoke types.
• Requires paint and lettering.

The kit can (at a pinch) be assembled with cyanoacrylate adhesive.

Model Kit Description

The model will build a 7mm to the foot scale model of Cambrian Railways six and seven ton covered vans.

Summary History

A large number of these vans were built for and by the Cambrian Railways from around 1880 to 1910, and exhibited various small differences. The most striking was the braking, the vast majority being unfitted, but some were vacuum piped, and some were fitted with 3'7" Mansell wheels and fully vacuum braked for use on passenger trains (subject of another kit). Wheelbases varied from 9', through 9'41/2" to 9'6". The kit represents the first option, but the body length was identical in all cases. Some of the early vans were replaced by more modern construction after the turn of the 19th century, the new vans taking the numbers of those withdrawn. Sample numbers are 1,3,5,9,187,623,645,692,735,901,951,981,1064,1388-1395,1730-1744,18701883-1899,2470-2489. Note that numbering was not consecutive. At the grouping, some were withdrawn, but known GW numbers are 10066-100702, 100712-15, 100716, 7 and 100718. It is not known if all these numbers were carried.

Useful References

Lewis, John; et al. (2009) [Slinn, 1978]. Great Western Way (2nd ed.). Butterley: Historical Model Railway

Christiansen, R. (1999) Cambrian Railways: Portrait of a Welsh railway network. Addlestone, England: Ian Allan Publishing.

Christiansen, R. and Miller, R. W. (1968) Cambrian Railways: 1889-1968 v. 2. Cincinnati, OH: David & Charles.

Green, C. (1977) Cambrian Railways album. Shepperton, England: Ian Allen.

Kidner, R. W. (1992) The Cambrian railways. 2nd ed. Catrine, Scotland: Oakwood Press.