3 Ton Wagons in o/16.5mm
The kit arrives as a flat pack containing a small
sheet of crudely etched parts and a sheet of very minimal
instructions with no drawings or diagrams. No wheels are supplied or wire
for fixing the brake lever.
The parts need careful cleaning up and fettling if a reasonable model is to be constructed. Separating the parts from the etch is not simple as the tabs are far too large and make cutting the parts out more difficult than necessary. The slots for fitting the underframe components in place on the base of the body are far too large.
Here are the parts for one wagon ready for
assembly. Care is needed when folding up the
axle boxes to ensure they are folded square, do not
solder them or the necessary adjustment for fitting
the wheels will be negated. The instructions
suggest gluing the axle box covers, small round
etchings, but it is easier to solder them in place
before folding up the axle boxes.
Here is the basic body assembled with the corner plates fitted but the strapping is still to be applied.
The wheels are simply sprung into place however,
it is important to ensure that the axle boxes are
fitted as close to the inside of the slots as
possible, even then it proved necessary to bend the
inside portion of the axle support inwards to make
the wheels fit without dropping out.
No couplings are provided or any indication of how or what couplings might be used.
Not for the beginner.