Just catching up Sol - I wondered why a gravel company would want shock absorbing vans ……….:roll:  Maybe to carry the dynamite …….lol:

I like your ideas for identifying the wagons knowing how you run your operating sessions.  Easy to see what's what and what's where.:cheers

Another modification:  from this



to this - stage 1:-



and as it is going to be a PO van for the brewery, I am thinking of this:-



certainly will make some visitors look!

Some dullcoating next.

It has now done a lot of miles/ Kilometres and it is dirty - needs the Cleaning Shop exclam:

Another VDA conversion from this:_

to this:-


as it has not been put into service yet, still cleanexclam:

Did you remove the existing transfers Sol or just put yours over them ?

These latest offerings look like transfers rather than the thin card used earlier. :roll:  Are you now making your own waterslide stuff ? :hmm

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

Did you remove the existing transfers Sol or just put yours over them ?  No, just over the top

These latest offerings look like transfers rather than the thin card used earlier.  As my normal practice,  printed on standard 80gsm paper & this time glued with PVA which softened the paper a bit allowing it to fit over the panel sides & rivets more than an apparent steel plate :roll:  Are you now making your own waterslide stuff ? :hmm

You have to be careful with paper softened in not to tear it in trying to make it look like a decal/transfer.

Another modification under way

Bachmann Toad Brake Vans

On the right, as it comes

on the left, pulled to pieces






Buffers now removed, Kadee couplings to be added; extra weight & glazing of the windows also  to be done.

Done but the Dullcote not quite dry !!


Another one to do then 12 vans recently obtained.

Hi Sol,

How easy ( or difficult ) is it to fit the kadee couplings ? I don't suppose you have progress shots on " how to " on the installation of the Kadee's do you ???????thumbs

On those Bachmann Brake Van, it was easy - remove the mounting unit for tension lock & screw. File the bottom of the buffer beam flat with the bottom of the floor 0 Kadee box sits in at the right height. You will need to either have the box sitting out 2mm or use long shank couplings so the knuckle face is in line with buffer faces to prevent buffer lock.

http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_topic.php?id=8591&forum_id=156

In this forum area http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_forum.php?id=16  there are many threads dealing with Kadees
Also look in out Index under K  for Kadee

Another VDA van modified for the D&S

Sol, how do you fix the coupler pockets to the wagon frames? They seem to defeat any glue I use, and I was wanting to remove some of the old Triang style couplers from Lima stock and replace the with NEMs. Any ideas?

Pat, these are plug in Kadees replacing the now standard tension lock but to fix the Kadee boxes #5, #242 OR #252 , one can use very small self tappers that seem to work well with the Kadee drills or even drill & tap using the Kadee set #246 & the screws like #256.

OK,  installing a Kadee #242 box with whisker coupling #148
The existing with NEM box


removed with the start of the coupler box base - styrene glued in with polystyrene cement


now with 3 layers of styrene & the buffer beam slightly filed so all is level


with the  Kadee drill #50 for the self tapper, box #242 fitted


now black painted - still wet & shiny but it will be dullcoated


If buffers are retained, use the longer shanked coupler #146.
No problems running through a 22" radius curve - the sharpest I have on the D&S.

Nice to see you bashing these Ron.  Lovely results.  Despite using a lot, I have come the conclusion that the NEM pocketed Kadees are quite unsightly.  I fully agree with you replacing them with the draft GB version - although your reasons might not be the same as mine.

John

12T ventilated van as supplied,  on the left  hand side  & on the right, modified for the Charde Chair Co. for the Devan & Summersett Railway