The sides were painted before assembly and the rub down POWsides transfers were taped over the final position and rubbed down with the rounded end of a paintbrush.
Once dry a quick waft of Dulcote and again left to fully dry.
Then the four parts were assembled around the chassis and the corners touched in before another waft of varnish.
Cambrian make a couple of suitable kits for which I have received some transfers from POWSides to apply once painted.
I have assembled three chassis and prepared three sets of sides. They have all been undercoated ready to receive the wagon colour. This gets tricky as no obviously no colour photos are available so I have to rely on images and suggestions from the transfer maker. Once the rain stops then the main colours can be applied.
http://www.oldtimeworkshop.co.uk/
Managed to number these two correctly from the assembled numbers on the transfer sheet.
These two are also fitted with 3/4 mm scale Sprat and Winkle couplings.
https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/3_manufacturer/sprat-winkle/
A piece of lead has also been adhered to the underside which, once a load is fitted, will give roughly the same weight as others in the rake.
The three are C50- 5 plank (D1380).
C79 LSWR 8 Plank (SR D1316)
C107 5plank (D1375/ D178)
These three will be finished in SR wagon brown (If I can get the paint) with large SR.
I am not a fan of plastic buffers and have been unable to find some whitemetal substitutes.
So the next best thing is metal buffer heads. These are available from H & A Models and were quickly delivered.
I need to drill out the buffer cases before fitting to make sure my idea works!
The Kilmersdon Colliery 7 plank was a special edition of only 100 commissioned by Buffers Model Railways in 2004. Likewise the Writhlington wagon came from the same source but had a run of 200.
The Oldacre wagon was issued as a special commission by the Gloucester and Warwickshire railway in 2005 but no production number was given.
So, a couple more S&D wagons and a surplus one to sell.
This is becoming addictive. Another two wagons with another several on the way should keep me busy.
I have found several Powsides transfers which will be suitable for wagons used in the Somerset Coalfields and therefore will be apt for the Somerset and Dorset collection.
Just have to find more wheels!
So looking at the Cambrian range gives a large selection to choose from. Unlike Parkside/Ratio the Cambrian kits don't come with wheels- they have to be sourced separately. The thing is wagon wheels are nigh on impossible to find as many are out of stock.
Still, I have found some so construction can re-commence.
I have slowly been collecting wagons from around the St. Austell and Fowey area that can be used on the layout.
Four or five wagons have so far been sourced together with a few GWR items of stock.
Luckily it doesn't need a lot to operate St. Mewan. I still need a couple of GW locos though, brake vans I already have.
It does need a resident shunter which I will have to find.
Until then I still have to decide which couplings to use- tension lock or Sprat and Winkle.
A bit of time with a glassfibre brush removed most of it and then a quick coat of acrylic wagon bauxite. A new set of transfers were applied and sealed with brush painted matt varnish to seal.
There are a few bits to paint matt black and once couplings are fitted-not decided which type yet- and its finished.
Will it get an all over coat of Testors? Once it gets warmer it will!
