What a Wonderfull Wagon! First build of an O Gauge Kit
Whilst in Devon recently I popped into Express Way Models at the South Devon Railway. Being a member of the SDR you get a discount in the shop. Pauline the shop manager is very helpful too. Having a browse around the shop I saw one of the PECO O Gauge 16T Mineral wagon kits for sale and treated myself.
On getting home and opening the kit up I was impressed. Everything you need bar glue and paint is included. In this instance some PC Transfers so I've a feeling this is an old kit-though I may be wrong and PECO may have an old stock of PC Transfers. The quality of the mouldings is first class and the kit falls together almost.
I did deviate away from the instructions and assembed the three side panels including the doors on a plate of glass rather than individually to the floor fearing parts may not match up. Also the kit is designed for the side doors and end door to be made to open, although in this case I glued them shut.
One area I'm not sure on with the kit is the choice of a pressed steel tipping door on the end. I need to check the numbers included on the transfer sheet with my reference to confirm this is right. I guess Paul Bartlett may know, but I'm sure this isn't correct.
I blackened the wheels/buffers/three link couplings with Birchwood Casey Gun Blue then polished them. The wagon was given a coat of Halfords grey plastic primer followed by a total covering of Tamiya NATO black. Then the inside of the wagon and the sides where lightly sprayed with Tamiya Hull Red. Once all dry I used some Vallejo masking fluid to make rusty type patterns on the side of the wagon in the style of Martyn Welch's weathering technique but using acrylics rather than enamels.
Next up was a coat of Tamiya Japanese Army Grey to the sides of the wagon. The door end stripes, bottom door markings and the black panels were masked off and sprayed with Tamiya NATO black and Vallejo Old White.
Where transfers were to be placed I brushed on some Johnson's Klear and once dry applied the decals which are like HMRS Pressfix ones (I believe HMRS took over PC's range of transfers). They were applied easily though and sealed with a further coat of Klear.
Detail painting was carried out on the body with dry brushing using further Vallejo paints and the underframe was weathered using a mix of Tamiya NATO Black and Dark Earth. I then rubbed off the masking fluid rust patches on the side revealing a rusted metal effect. Dry brushing these patches with gun metal further enhanced them.
To finish everything was brought together with a coat of Vallejo matt varnish.
Overall this is an good kit to make and excellent value. I'm not sure about that pressed steel tipping door-perhaps the welded version should be included, so further clarrification may be needed on this.
From a personal point of view I really enjoyed constructing the kit. The size of the wagon begins to emulate the real thing-something a 4mm/2mm wagon can't match. I'm pleased with the painting technique-something I've never tried before. I think one side is better than the other though personally. Also I should amend those bottom door markings-I think they're a bit wide.
I'm debating on what kit to build next be it another PECO or venture out into a Slaters or Parkside kit. Either way it will be a generic 1950's prototype so as to keep my options open.
Cheers,
Mark
As an addendum I now own a length of PECO O Gauge track and a buffer stop. Does that construe an O Gauge layout?
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