LMS/LNER Gunpowder Van PS112

Available from Peco - kit originally manufactured by Parkside Dundas

BANG! Another masterpiece.

The pre-market 7mm kit arrived from Parkside Dundas in a Southern Railway Insulated Van box, but as usual the contents were sealed in a polythene bag with all the necessary parts enclosed, including a comprehensive set of water slide transfers. I hate rubons or press fix. These transfers cover LMS, LNER and early BR unfitted versions of the van. The version built is either an LMS Diagram D2093 or a van built for LNER use with independent brakes. The early BR version incorporates Morton type brakes. The vehicle has no vacuum brakes, but does allow for instanter couplings or, if preferred, three linked ones. The buffers are standard RCH types. A good photographic example of the present model is to be found on page 64, plate 124, of the now republished, An Illustrated History of LMS Wagons Volume 1 by R J Essery, published by OPC. No doubt other sources can be gleaned from other publications and photographs are available from various past magazines.

Slater’s three hole wheels (all these variants were so fitted) are supplied complete with top hat bearings.

The kit goes together as usual like a dream, and high standards are maintained throughout, as we have come to expect from Parkside Dundas, with very little or no flash to the plastic mouldings. I know it’s a new kit and there shouldn’t be any flash, but Parkside do use parts from their other ranges in all scales. The roof has three bands of Evergreen strip supplied to fit separately. It is advisable to consult the drawings from Bob Essery’s book to ascertain the exact spacing, but it’s not essential. These thin roofs were designed to blow upwards if the van exploded accidently to confine the shock.

The only fault I would lay at Parkside’s door is that the brass, lacquer coated, coupling links are not good to blacken. Since they are no longer supplied in steel, I’m told, because steel examples are no longer sourced from British manufacturers due to deindustrialisation. The links do not blacken in the usual manner when heating over a gas flame and then dunking in oil. They don’t blacken in Birchwood Casey solution either. So they have to be painted, or filed until the varnish cover is removed and then Birchwood Casey Gun Blue applied. If only paint is applied, this can wear off during constant operation, which is annoying and spoils the scaled down appearance.

Variations of this vehicle exist and fun can be had seeking them. With through vacuum pipes (sourced from ABS Part Nr 0.317 Underslung Wagon Vacuum Pipes) tie bars, screw link ouplings, V-hangers and W-irons. Parkside also supply in the kit two varieties of W-irons. Seek photos of your chosen model before fitting.

Parkside provide a comprehensive instruction sheet keeping the builder straight on the versions offered. The usual Parkside Dundas compensation method of sliding axle boxes is incorporated and standard RCH blackened sprung buffer heads prevail; with annoyingly only four springs (no spares).

I look forward to the next explosive release of the Gunpowder Van, which I‘m told will be the later BR build with vacuum fittings, oleo buffers and chalk plates on the body. So don’t go for that conversion yet.

I heartily recommend purchasing this kit. Parkside have seen this review and are content with its content.