Basic Wagons
After establishing the Basic Principles of my wagon fleet, I was eager to get some wagons started. The 3D axlebox drawing was amended to incorporate a cone-shaped hole for the pinpoint axles. This was sent to Tim Evans, who had taken over C W Railways (www.cwrailways.com) from Chris Ward. The following week, 48 axleboxes arrived.
The axleboxes, wheels and some timber sections were brought together and dry-runs performed. This prompted further design changes, which were constantly transferred to the 'principles' drawing (below). |
Finally, the timbers were cut to length and super-glued together. Issues regarding coupling fixings arose and some 'hacking' occurred. The chassis had several flaws, but it was serving its purpose of developing a 'principle'.
A working, albeit 'slightly wonky' wagon had been created. It ran beautifully and certainly looked the part, but making more would require a bit of thought - a repeatable process - maybe even a jig! See Uncouplers for the under-track magnets |
I rarely make jigs, but now seemed like a good time to use one - initially, to cut strips of wood square and to a regular length. In this case, headstock (10x5mm) and decking (5x2mm) all to 45mm long. It then developed into something to hold the decking square, and then to get the chassis square.
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All elements were super-glued together. I've become a convert to superglue after a friend introduced me to the Poundland product. Four for £1; they come with fine applicator tubes and you don't need to put a cap on the end - just stand it upright. Instantly available and no unblocking.
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Wagon loads - the beauty of an engineering scenario is that loads can be quite varied. Home-made oil drums from old tubes and plasticard strips; empty CO2 cartridges can make very acceptable gas cylinders; 'cable drums' (thread bobbins); packing cases; steel sections, pipework, drains etc. should all produce an interesting 'atmosphere'. I made the cardboard boxes and produce trays for the 16mm line. All were created in Word using 'tables', with basic text and graphics items. The printed designs were stuck to sticky brown paper for rigidity and to provide the internal colour. The Costa Brava tray used photo's of actual trays.