scratch built goods wagon

[Gremlin]

I thought it was about time I built some goods stock, my first effort was a simple flat wagon, then a couple of open ones and here is my goods van.
Construction is all planks, took a while but quite enjoyed it.
I might add some underframe detail later.

[LMS-Jools]

Very Nice

[SLRmidge]

Really nice.

[Dr. Bond of the DVLR]

That looks really ace!

[IrishPeter]

I like the covered - it looks suitably used and abused! The three plank flat looks very nice too, but the covered is a peach.

Peter in AZ

[MuzTrem]

Very nice indeed! I can't quite tell from the photograph whether you've weathered the first one, or whether the wood is naturally that colour. If the former, I'd be very interested to know what techniques you used?

[Gremlin]

Glad folks like what I've done, I like the used and abused look.
I want to make a guards van next, waiting for more wood.
A quick rundown of the weathering of wood.
It's not hard and you could all have stock as delapidated mine in no time.
Timber used is Obeche, fine grain and stains well. Spruce was used for floor boards, but only because the local model shop didn't have enough of the former in stock. Adds a bit of contrast I spose.
The stain was a mix of Indian ink, water and a drop of fairy liquid to break any surface tension. You'll will only need a drop of ink, it's very strong stuff. Start with a weak mixture, you can always go over it again if you want it darker.
Just paint it on and watch the new timber age before your very eyes, really is great fun.

[MDLR]

Like those - the weathering is very effective!

[Johnnie2sheds]

Lovely work

[pauly]

They look the dog bits mate!

[robc_wa]

Looks fantastic! Are the hinges on the open wagon real or cosemetic?
Either way how did you do them ?

Cheers
Rob

[DolwyddelanLightRail]

Do you do commissions?

[Gremlin]

The hinges are cosmetic. I was going to buy IP ones but decided to have ago myself. They are quite easy but take a bit of time. Strips were cut from a biscuit tin and a centre punch pushed by hand against a block of wood. A nail or screw would be ok. same for the bottom hinge plate. The bolt is just cut from a suitable stick with a flat sanded to give a "D" shape and glued on. Low tech but effective.

Not considered selling any as I've only made a few and the van took most of a weekend, there was a lot of working it out time so the next one will be quicker. These are time consuming to make as each plank is cut and the edges chamferred/distressed. Then it's built one plank at a time.
Ply has it's place and fine if painted but I don't believe you can get this sort of finish without planking. I'll have to see how long one takes.

Here is the fleet so far. The 4 plank wagons were IP kits, The ply was bit warped on the first one which was one reason for making my own body. The second was picked up for less than the cost of the metal parts.

[dougrail]

Nicely done Gremlin, very nice indeed - fab weathering process

[Narrow Minded]

Excellent rake and I love the loads!

[mhlr]

Very nice! Really love those wagons.

Any chance of some pics of your line, I like the look of the bricks with the ballasting; looks just the sort of thing I'd like to build in my new garden.

[Gremlin]

Here are a couple of pics to give an idea of the track on bricks look.
I've only got as far as ballasted track as it was only started in April.
About a quarter of the track is visable when sitting in the garden the rest is against the fence behind the plants and behind the greenhouse. It's not big, I think 4 boxes of peco track and 3 or 4 extra pieces.

[mhlr]

Excellent work mate, cheers for the pics!

[Gremlin]

I thought I'd better finish off the rake with a brake van, same plank construction.
Here is the body almost done followed 45 mins later by the start of the aging process.

[Gremlin]

Pretty much finished now, just need to fit the glazing and door to be able to run on Saturday. The roof is removable so might do something with the interior at a later date.