Time to build a railway...but where?

[Andrew]

I REALLY like that - quirky, but very attractive...

[Peter Butler]

My next kits arrived this morning from 'Sixteen Mills' .....
https://sixteenmills.yolasite.com/resou ... %20COM.jpg
The first to go on the bench is the Spooner, 'Serpent' brake-van, c1875. I do like these quirky designs, as you might have noticed?......

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It should end up looking something like this.....

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The kit is very well cut in MDF and supplied with Binnie wheels and axle boxes. I have swapped the wheels with metal rimmed ones as all my stock runs on metal wheels......

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The main body is now assembled and can be primed for top coat. Before painting I have added bolt heads were the engraving shows their position.....

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As with all my builds, I will paint the overlays separately and attach later.

[Andrew]

That's quite a wagon! I wonder if it was ever built, or was just an idea on a drawing board?

[Peter Butler]

I did wonder myself, although I'm not keen enough to bother with research. An interesting thing about it is that the brake operating wheel is a ship's wheel, this ties in with Spooner's boat on the Ffestiniog, so where is the nautical link?

[Peter Butler]

In answer to Andrew's question about the authenticity of the 'Spooner's Brake-van', this information has been given by Dave at 'Sixteen Mills'.....

"Being influenced by the two Spooner designed wagons as shown in James Boyd's volume 2 on the FR (Sixteen Mills kits SM002 & SM003), I developed further wagons in the handsome Spooner style.
The 'Serpent' brake van SM005, incorporates:
1. A similar side profile to the mid 1950's LNWR Henson Brake van.
2. A low roof to clear the FR loading gauge.
3. An open area to stand up and clearly see from.
4. A pair of ship's portholes from the Portmadoc chandler to see both ways from the cabin on frequent wet days.
They are offset to one side so the brakeman can see both ways when sat on the bench inside.
5. A lowered end to get a clear view from the forward porthole.
6. I fitted a small ships wheel to operate the brake on my own prototype as it was likely to have been available from the chandler's.
7. I wanted to break away from the usual traditional style brake vans."

Good enough for me!

[Peter Butler]

Good progress with the wagon builds. They are both in primer and ready for painting......

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The second vehicle is a sheep wagon, again inspired by Spooner's designs (I believe) and very similar in construction to the guard's van....

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(Picture from manufacturer's website)
Despite the open sides, so ample ventilation, there is also a vent on the roof for some reason?....

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[ge_rik]

A quirky selection of wagons, Peter. That sheep wagon reminds me of the wagons which were supposedly once used to transport circus animals around. I could just imagine a tiger in there peering out through the bars....

Rik

[Peter Butler]

I believe tigers are larger animals than sheep and as the headroom is no more than 3'6" it would be an uncomfortable ride for big cats.

[LNR]

The discolouration caused by the Lazer is almost perfect ageing/weathering in one sense. Almost a shame to hide it with paint. They are both very attractive styles, representative of a time when style was as important as function. Nice job Peter.
Grant.

[Andrew]

Despite the open sides, so ample ventilation, there is also a vent on the roof for some reason?....

It looks a bit like the clerestory in 19th C carriages, where the oil lamps went - perhaps it's for sheep/tigers who are afraid of the dark?

Very attractive wagons, they'll look great in a mixed goods...

Andrew

[FWLR]

Can't wait to see them finished Peter. They will look good behind your De Winton.....

[Peter Butler]

I have decided to stick with the two-tone brown paint finish, as with the Corris brake-van. It seems to enhance the moulding on the overlays and contrasts well with the panels. The 'Serpent' brake-van is finished and follows the description given by Dave in the post above, by the addition of a ship's wheel... why not?.....
Image taken from kit kit instruction sheet....

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The finished interior....

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A brake-van must have brakes, which are supplied in the kit....

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And a guard, (not in uniform)....

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The sheep wagon is awaiting its passengers, although 16mm scale tigers are not currently available from Design Scan Print 3D, sheep are. It has been supplied with the latest in luxury accommodation, namely straw.....

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Until the guests arrive I can't fit the roof, although it is ready to be attached....

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[FWLR]

Love the straw in the accommodation van Peter ..

[Peter Butler]

Back-tracking for a while the last kit from Jerry Irwin, which I described previously, had alternative parts included to make the Corris Brake Van in various guises.....

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I decided on this one.....

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Which still left me with.....

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So, another van is now under construction with some HIP additions.....

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[FWLR]

Brilliant Peter. I may seriously have to look at Jerry's models again and buy myself one soon..

[ge_rik]

Two for the price of one! Sounds like a bargain to me.


Rik

[Peter Butler]

Certainly a bargain Rik, and all additional parts available from my box of bits, including metal wheels, cast axle-boxes, rivet heads etc....

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The optional roof was included in the kit along with the roof former, which I can re-use in the future.....

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The 'passengers' for my sheep wagon arrived and have been painted and installed in their luxurious accommodation.....

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So we now have a short train of matching vehicles which look pretty good together, I think!.....

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[Andrew]

Very nice! And with three guards vans in your four wagon rake, your sheep must have a pretty good chance at arriving safely at their destination...

Andrew.

[Peter Butler]

Very nice! And with three guards vans in your four wagon rake, your sheep must have a pretty good chance at arriving safely at their destination...

Andrew.

Yes Andrew, here in Wales we are very protective of our sheep, an important part of the economy!

[FWLR]

They look fabulous and certainly seem very solid and sturdy wagons Peter...

I desperately need to get myself a wagon....