An etched brass kit with white metal components

You will need to purchase either 3’1” 8 spoke plain wagon wheels from a number of suppliers, or 2’9” Lowmac wheels from Messrs. Slaters (Code 7129)

History

In 1901, the Leeds Forge Company delivered 30 of these wagons to the Caledonian Railway, allocated numbers being 66001-30. Originally fitted with 3’1” wheels, these were changed quite quickly to ones of 2’9” dia., for reasons unknown to me, which they retained for the rest of their working lives. The wagons always rode slightly lower as a consequence, and the difference can be seen in several photographs.Also they were soon fitted with wooden floors, probably in less than a year, to protect the steel from the ravages of coal.

A further 100 wagons were delivered in 1903, with slight detail differences to the original 30, numbered 66231-66330.

Livery was described as dark red, but this is unclear and it is probable that the standard red oxide was applied, with black running gear. I do not know if the interior was painted, but it is likely that this would have been eroded by the abrasive nature of the load, and soon reverted to standard rust. Large white CR letters were situated inboard of the outer doors.LMS colours would have been the standard grey until this was replaced by the later red oxide, but whether any wagons carried this later livery in unclear.

After grouping large numbers remained in service all over Scotland until the mid 1930s, with some used until after the 2nd World War as Sleeper wagons and for transporting Esparto grass to paper mills. One, 66305 was photographed in 1954 at Workington.

Warning

Due to the design of the prototype, the builder has to replicate the forming of sheet steel in brass over some 200mm length. It is essential for the final appearance of the model that all bends are straight and even. I STRONGLY recommend the use of bending bars to achieve this very characteristic feature. These are obtainable from several sources, I have used a set of 13” bars from Metalsmith of Kettering for many years and have found them very satisfactory and good value for money. It is also worth repeating that fold lines MUST be deepened with a triangular or square file until a witness line is observed on the reverse side.