Purchased, built and reviewed by Keith Martin

Modern image modellers have had to wait for years for a long wheelbase bogie van and then two come along at once. In the last Gazette, Charles Oldroyd reviewed the Heljan LWB Cargowaggon. Buzz Models' kit is for a very specific batch of sidewall-opening vans built by Linke Hofmann Busch in the late 1970s. The vans produced by this company can be roughly divided into those that have an A frame on the van ends to support the roof while others have an H frame. This kit has the latter.

I have badgered Andrew on and off for a number of years about the progress of this kit and at the Bristol O Gauge show last January I was lucky enough to buy one of the early kits. So early, that on the stand, they had only the resin parts; I had to wait for the remainder of the kit.

Photo 1. An idea of part size can be seen here. The cutting mat squares measure 5 x 5mm

The instructions give a suggested sequence for construction which is clear and useful. In the early copy that was supplied to me, some of the photos lacked contrast which limited their usefulness. This proved hardly a major fault and it has probably been corrected by now. I compensated by downloading a very clear photo of the unpainted model from the Buzz Facebook page. Buzz advise gathering as many photos as possible of the prototype. The instructions include a photo of the etch overlaid with numbers which are cross-referenced to the text.

The instructions recommend an initial inspection of the resin parts for air holes and filling them before assembly. Try as I might I was unable to find any such holes even on the inside of the castings. Cleaning up the odd pip and bit of flash was simple. Some brass parts are miniscule, a matter of millimetres, the web on the wagon end stanchions being a case in point (photo 1). The model requires eight of these and Buzz thoughtfully provide two extra – just in case.

The main body comes as 13 pieces. The side members and roof are aligned with interlocking tongues that line up with a high degree of accuracy. I carried out some very minor paring to get the snug fit I wanted on the van ends. The only really visible join is in the two halves of the roof and this was masked with Milliput and then rubbed down. Buzz say they used cyanoacrylate to join the resin parts for the test construction of the kit but I do not entirely trust this adhesive. I therefore reinforced the back of most joints with hot melt glue. The bogies go together easily with tab and slot location for the cross members. The side-frame castings are crisp and appear true to type (photo 2). I think the bogies lack one detail however. Photos of the prototype show a very prominent bar across the bogie ends between the side-frames. This is not in the kit but can be easily added using brass rod. Each bogie is bolted to the body through a pivot and a frame stretcher. The stretchers are located very precisely by recesses in the underframe. The etch usefully contains washers for adjusting the ride height.

Photo 2. Assembling a bogie

The instructions are written on the assumption that the roof will be glued to the main body. I have made the roof removable by gluing and drilling a cube of plastic to the back of the wagon ends. I then screwed through to a layer of Plastikard glued to the underside of the roof. This will make painting and weathering easier, simplifying access into the gap between the doors and roof that is a feature of these wagons.

Of the fittings that come with the kit, the buffers are solid castings as are the air pipes. Draw hooks are included on the etch but no links. The two types of anchor points are included together with handbrake wheels. Brass wire is provided to form various handles and grab rails. Pipework running along the side of the wagon and a handle are moulded into the resin.

Having assembled the kit I still have to decide on its branding and livery. In photo 3, the van is awaiting air pipes. A study of prototypes shows there are some variations in the design of this vehicle, many being in wagons from other countries and companies. It should not be difficult to tweak this kit to produce a fair representation of a variety of wagons that would use either train ferries or the Channel Tunnel. The key is finding wagons with UIC codes Habfis (for 100kph running) or Habfiss (for 120kph). This van would also work well in a freight consist that also has Cargowaggons and, for purely domestic services, VGA and VKA wagons.

It has been well worth the wait for this wagon and I plan to build more, eventually creating an international rake. Recommended. I just add the usual disclaimer that I have no connection with Buzz Models other than as a satisfied customer.

The finished but unpainted Ferrywagon

A copy of this review was sent to Buzz Models and Andrew Evans said that he was more than happy to see it published.