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Taff Vale Models	Julian and Sue Wynn
20 Slade Close	02920 026122
Sully
Penarth	Email: taffvalemodels@gmail.com
Wales	Web: http://taffvale.wales
CF64 5UU

The Cambrian had many 2 plank opens and a number of them were built by outside contractors. This example is based upon the Pickering built batch from 1902. This wagon is to be part of a small P/W train for a customer and will eventually be painted by Ian Hopkins to look old and decrepit near the end of its life in Great Western days.

There is no box, the parts arrive as shown flat packed together with 2 A4 sheets of instructions printed on both sides. The only other parts required to complete the kit is a set of split spoke wheels. I had some in stock, which I think were Haywood and come ready chemically blackened. The majority of the guidance is in the form of colour pictures of the various stages of construction with helpful captions. This makes construction very easy and, if one does not make any modifications, the wagon can be built in a couple of evenings. Even with modifications however, it only took about a day to build.

The body is a complex fold up that produces both the inner and outer faces of the planks. I used a “Hold and Fold” for most of the bends required. It is essential that all the fold lines are well “scrawked” so that a definite witness line appears on the other side. To gain the true thickness of the side planks, one is instructed to solder scrap etch near the outer limits of the sides and ends. I suggest that a substantial piece of scrap is also soldered across the middle of the long side too or the sides will tend to bow out as mine did. Fortunately I noticed before soldering and was able easily to slide in piece prior to soldering up.

There is no provision for compensation and so it was necessary to modify the construction. I did this by fitting some 2mm thick brass bar behind the solebars to support the W irons. These had been cut off the units that support the wheels. It also gives a tad more rigidity and weight to the underframe. Here is a picture of the modifications, including part of the WEP compensation units I used. The etched marks for centring the wheels is a very useful design feature that helps line up wheels and W irons and get them all square.

The strapping is rather nicely cast white metal and it does make the job easy but I would still prefer I think etched strapping, but then as everyone knows, I am anti white metal anyway. The self contained buffers are excellent too with nice castings and turned steel heads and shanks. Couplings are not provided for but I always use WEP's anyway.

It awaits a trip to Ian's paint shop and the buffers and coupling dipping in Casey's Gun Blue. A picture of the finished wagon will appear on the website in due course.