Not Quite There

While we are always happy to display or talk about a great model that we have created, this is a post about one of those jobs that is just not quite right and not to the standard that one sets oneself.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was building a kit of an EHO passenger guards van and spoke about having to remove a coat of paint because it was more purple than indian red. That process went reasonably well and the replacement colour is satisfactory. I also 'tea bagged' the roof, again with fairly positive results. I chose not to add wire handrails which was probably  a bit of a shortcut but the ones that were cast into the body were reasonably prominent. Besides, wire handrails are not one of my strengths if one looks at my collection of S trucks, BCHs et al.

However, it is the chassis that has caused me to be less than satisfied with the results particularly after I came across photos of James McInerney's EHO (http://lambingflat.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/eho1473-or-is-it-1469.html) 

I had constructed the guards van in accordance with the instructions although I noted that a large battery box shown on the plan in the July / August 1967 edition of AMRM mounted underneath the centre door in addition to the two boxes at one end was not included. The truss also looks too thick and the chassis sits a bit higher than it should.

So, I think it's back to the drawing board as far as the chassis is concerned. I think that I will cut off the plastic trusses and use them to shape wire replacements. That will test my soldering skills if I remember the construction of the HCX quite a few years ago. I'll probably add another battery box and see if the chassis can be lowered slightly.

Oh well, lesson learnt - more research before construction!

As an aside, I was intrigued to note the provision made for the movement of coffins in the van. It's something that I hadn't considered previously. However, now that I am aware of it, I have noted similar compartments in other types of passenger guards vans.