Modelling VR Wooden Country Cars in use during the 1970 s

Modelling VR Wooden Country Cars in use during the 1970 s Introduction The Victorian Railways still had a fleet of wooden carriages that were used on country services into the 1970 and 1980 s. The purpose of this note is to run through each class of wooden car that the VR ran on regular services in the 1970 s, and to provide some notes on modelling them in HO scale. In classifying passenger stock, the VR used the following scheme of classification letters: Prefix: A = first class, B = economy class, C = guard s van Suffix: Type of car (eg, V, W, E, PL) V Class Cars When built: 1897-1906 Features: All wooden carriages in the V ( Vestibule ) class were built with a standard 50 foot 2 inch body. They were corridor coaches with separate seating compartments, and had a vestibule at each end that allowed for a walkway through to the next carriage. These were the first passenger coaches on the VR to have toilets on board. Only the CV guards vans continued use into the 1970 s, with all of the carriages having been removed by the 1960 s. AV First Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 5 (for use on tourist trains only) BV Second Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 6 (for use on tourist trains only) CV Passenger Guard s Van Number in service in 1976: 7 Features: These CV passenger guard s vans were built to the same pattern as the V-class passenger carriages. There were two types built: the first two had a flat roof, whereas the last five had a cupola at each end and a clerestory roof in between. Some vans also had a centre compartment for carrying fresh fish, externally conspicuous by the presence of the full height louvres. Modelling: I m not aware of any commercially available models of the CV van. I scratchbuilt my model body from layered sheets of styrene. The top layer used V- groove styrene sheet and had cutouts for the doors. The second layer was plain styrene sheet and had cutouts for the door windows. The roof is also built up from a large curved sheet of plain styrene between the cupolas. The clerestory roof is added last. The underframe was scratchbuilt from styrene sheet and strips. http://users.tpg.com.au/sllyname/model_vr/woodcars.pdf p 1

W Class Cars When built: 1911-1927 Features: This largest class of VR country wooden cars were classified W class for Wayside country trains. There were three distinct versions of the W cars: 58 foot long with a clerestory roof, 58 foot long with an elliptical roof, and 64 foot long with an elliptical roof. All of the W car stock was painted in VR s passenger red, with brown roofs and black underframe and bogies. Underframe equipment consisted of air brake and handbrake rigging, and an electrical system for carriage lighting. The electrical system consisted of a small generator driven off one of the wheel axles, a fuse board and a set of battery boxes. AW First Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 33 Features: The 58 foot long AW cars had six first class seating compartments with toilets at each end and a clerestory roof, while the 64 foot long AW cars had seven first class seating compartments and an elliptical roof. The most notable difference in the underframes is the addition of two large pressurised water tanks to service the toilets for cars with an elliptical roof. Cars with the clerestory roof had water tanks in the roof that fed the toilets by gravity. Modelling: Steam Era Models (SEM) has been selling a fantastic injection moulded styrene kit of the clerestory-roofed AW for about 2 decades. Although it has been around for a long time, it is still well detailed by today s modelling standards. In fact this model kit, along with their BW kit, can be used as the basis for kitbashing most of the carriages in the W and E classes. For this reason, the AW and BW Steam Era Model kits are arguably the most important kits for VR HO-scale modellers of all time. ABU First and Economy Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 12 Features: The ABU carriages had 58 foot long bodies which included three first class and three economy class seating compartments. In the middle of the car, the ladies toilets separated the first and economy class compartments. There were both clerestory and elliptical roofed cars built. Modelling: The carriage body can be made by kitbashing a SEM AW and a BW kit. This can be done by simply cutting the AW and BW sides to fit together, but will leave a model with some errors in the actual compartment window spacing. The clerestory roof can simply be used from either the AW or CW kit, with modifications to the roof vents and hatches. Alternatively, an elliptical roof from ILM (Ian Lindsay Models) maybe used for some ABU carriages. The underframe equipment location also needs some minor modifications from either the AW or BW model. http://users.tpg.com.au/sllyname/model_vr/woodcars.pdf p 2

Refer to the Aust Model Railway Magazine Feb 1989 edition for an article on kitbashing an ABU (ex-abw) with the correct window spacing. ABW First and Economy Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 4 Features: The ABW carriages had 64 foot long bodies which included three first class and four economy class seating compartments. In the middle of the car, the ladies toilets separated the first and economy class compartments. All of the 64 foot ABW cars were built with an elliptical roof. Modelling: The SEM AW and BW kits are used to kitbash the ABW. If you are satisfied to forego exact passenger compartment window spacing, an AW and a BW side can be simply cut and joined together to give the correct overall length. If you want to model the exact compartment spacing, then that makes the modelling job incredibly more difficult. The flat elliptical roof can be made from cutting and joining two resin roof kits available from ILM or B&G models. BU Economy Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 33 Features: The BU cars were re-classified versions of ABU cars, and were configured for six economy class seating compartments. Modelling: Very similar kitbash to the ABU carriage. BW Economy Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 47 http://users.tpg.com.au/sllyname/model_vr/woodcars.pdf p 3

Features: The 58 foot long AW cars had seven first class seating compartments with toilets at each end and a clerestory roof, while the 64 foot long AW cars had eight first class seating compartments and an elliptical roof. Modelling: You can t go wrong with the Steam Era Models (SEM) BW injected styrene kit of a 58 foot clerestory roof model. CW Passenger Guard s Van Number in service in 1976: 19 Features: All of the CW guard s van bodies built were 50 foot long and had cupolas at each end. Like the passenger cars, the first fifteen built had clerestory roofs, while the last five had elliptical roofs. They were designed to carry a load of 12 tons of baggage or goods. The guard s accommodation was very basic with just two seats in each cupola. Modelling: The CW van can be scratchbuilt from sheet styrene. In later years, the matchstick sides were sheathed with smooth sheet steel panels, so this makes it easy to model with flat styrene sheet. My model shown below was built using an ILM elliptical roof. Underframe components were similar to the W passenger cars, and can be bought as an accessory pack from SEM. The end communication diaphragm doors and bogies can also be bought separately from SEM. VBW First Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 1 Features: This carriage first started as AW36, and then was converted to standard gauge to run on the backup Spirit of Progress train. It was painted in VR blue and gold. Modelling: The VBW car can be built using a SEM AW kit, and adding an elliptical roof, underframe water tanks, and buffing plates to the diaphragm doors. VFW Economy Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 9 Features: 64 foot long carriages AW60 to AW68 were converted to standard gauge in 1972 to run on the backup Spirit of Progress train. They were painted in VR blue and gold. http://users.tpg.com.au/sllyname/model_vr/woodcars.pdf p 4

Modelling: You can kitbash the SEM AW kit into a VFW car. You can add an extra sitting compartment by splicing in a set of compartment windows into each side. You will also need to extend the length of an ILM AW elliptical roof to match the 64 foot body length. E Class Cars When built: 1906-1923 Features: This large class of full-sized (71 foot bodies) passenger cars were classified E class for use on Express country trains. The VR also shared ownership of some E cars with the South Australian Railways (SAR) for use on the Overland Express train between Melbourne and Adelaide. An E carriage was the first VR car to be fitted with air conditioning when it was installed in AE36 in 1935. The purpose was to test the proposed air conditioning system for the Spirit of Progress steel passenger cars. Later another 14 AE class cars were fitted with air conditioning. All of the E cars were built with 6 wheel bogies. In the 1960 s when the Spirit of Progress steel cars were being converted to standard gauge, their bogies became available and were fitted to the AE cars for improved ride comfort. Underframe equipment was limited to brake gear and electrical systems to provide for carriage lighting. Water for toilets were stored in gravity fed tanks in the clerestory roof. Most of the E cars were painted in VR s passenger red, however, the some of airconditioned cars and Guard s vans were painted in VR s blue and gold livery similar to the steel passenger cars. AE First Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 11 Features: This 71 foot carriage had eight first class seating compartments. All featured the clerestory roof and a steel truss underframe. Many were riding on 4 wheel broad gauge bogies in the 1970 s. Modelling: SEM sells an AE styrene kit that is essentially a kitbash of a SEM AW kit. Auscision models also sell a ready-to-run model. ABE First and Economy Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 14 Features: This 71 foot carriage had four first class and four economy class seating compartments. There were also three toilet compartments on board. Modelling: The ABE can be kitbashed from SEM AW and BW kits. Auscision models also sell a ready-to-run model. http://users.tpg.com.au/sllyname/model_vr/woodcars.pdf p 5

BE Economy Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 36 Features: This 71 foot carriage had nine economy class seating compartments. Modelling: SEM sell a BE styrene kit which is a kitbash of two BW kits. Auscision models also sell a ready-to-run model. BCE Economy Class Carriage and Passenger Guard s Van Number in service in 1976: 5 Features: The BCE combined five passenger compartments, a central guard s compartment with cupola, and a baggage compartment. They were used on less busy routes where a full-sized guard s and luggage van, such as a CE van, wasn t required. The underframes of these five cars featured a deep fishbelly centre sill instead of trusses. Modelling: The BCE can be kitbashed from two SEM BW kits. Use 0.25mm styrene sheet to cover the windows that are in the luggage compartment section. Refer to Aust Model Railway Magazine Feb 1990 edition for an article on building a BCE van. Hint: the kitbash can somewhat be simplified by settling to locate the luggage doors a little further rearwards than the correct dimensions. BG Economy Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 1 Features: Two air-conditioned restaurant E cars were converted into saloontype sitting cars in 1961. These were painted in the VR blue and gold livery. Modelling: Once again the SEM AW kits can be used as a basis for a kitbashing project. Adding the air conditioning equipment presents a new challenge. The roof needs to be modified at one end to house the evaporator and air distribution ducts. Additional underframe equipment includes the AC compressor and http://users.tpg.com.au/sllyname/model_vr/woodcars.pdf p 6

condenser fan units, as well as a large longitudinally mounted gearbox and generator driven by a prop shaft from one of the bogies. CE Passenger Guard s Van Number in service in 1976: 31 Features: The CE van had a 61 foot long body, with cupolas at each end for guard accommodation and three central goods compartments. Most CE vans had the clerestory roof and 6 wheel bogies, but the last five built had an elliptical roof and 4 wheel bogies. These vans were painted in the VR blue and gold livery. Modelling: I scratch built my model using layers of sheet styrene for the body, a SEM roof, and scratch built underframe. The six wheel bogies are also SEM E- class type. Auscision sell a ready-to-run model as an alternative. Buffet Cars Number in service in 1976: 2 Features: The air-conditioned buffet cars were completed in 1937. They had three compartments for first class seating, and the buffet section. The buffet section consisted of a long counter with 18 seats on one side of the carriage, and a large kitchen area on the other side. Modelling: My model of Taggerty was based off the SEM AW / AE kits. For the corridor side, there is only one door on the LHS of the car, and nine large windows. Create the large windows by cutting out the centre post between the double windows, and then create a window frame around the window with styrene strips. On the other side of the carriage, there are only three full sized windows and a series of smaller windows for the kitchen. Create the kitchen windows by firstly cutting the entire kitchen section out between the beltline and nameboard. Then rebuild this section using styrene matchboard sheet. The roof and underframe is based on an air-conditioned E carriage with some additions. For kitchen use, there are additional underframe water tanks and LPG tanks, and ventilation boxes on the roof. Powerline Commonwealth bogies complete the model. http://users.tpg.com.au/sllyname/model_vr/woodcars.pdf p 7

Sleeping Cars Number in service in 1976: 10 Features: Sixteen sleeping carriages were built from the E class design for use between Melbourne and Adelaide on the Overland train. The VR and SAR jointly owned these carriages. In the 1960 s when the Overland was replaced with steel carriages, some of the wooden E sleeping carriages were bought back by the VR. The sleeping cars had nine sleeping compartments and a sitting saloon. Modelling: Start off with a SEM BE kit. Follow the instructions to join to two sides together, but this time to make a scale length of 75 foot. Then all of the compartment windows are then cut out (cut out as a single piece, stretching from door to door, and beltline to nameboard. The compartment windows can then be re-spaced by cutting out excess matchboards between the windows. The window pieces are then glued back into the carriage sides to give a total of nine sleeping compartments and one salon compartment with a large window. Two SEM roof sections also need to be joined to a scale length of 74 foot. The clerestory windows need to be shaved off to give smooth sides. The sleeping cars had ten peculiar air vents that can be fabricated with pieces of styrene strip. The underframes had the usual E carriage layout of equipment (see SEM instructions), however, some of the sleepers had additional water tanks and LPG bottles fitted. PL Cars When built: 1917- Features: PL denoted Passageway with Lavatory which meant they had open sitting saloons with toilets at each end. The PL cars were built for excursion use on the Victorian Railways so that they were run on special trips and events. By the 1970 s, they were modified to include vestibules and diaphragm doors at each end, and were converted to run with electric lighting. The underframes were based on surplus passenger underframes and were lengthened to suit either the 58 foot or 60 foot bodies. The underframes were trussed and ran on light passenger bogies. All of the PL cars had elliptical roofs. The roof normally housed the water tanks, although some of the class had pressurised water tanks on the underframe. http://users.tpg.com.au/sllyname/model_vr/woodcars.pdf p 8

BPL Economy Class Carriage Number in service in 1976: 61 Features: The BPL carriages were economy class excursion carriages. Modelling: I scratchbuilt a BPL using 2 layers of 0.5mm styrene sheet for the sides. The outer lay of styrene has the windows and doors cut out, while the inner layer of styrene has the window sills and door windows cut out. Since there are so many windows, laser cutting was used to precisely cut the windows. This particular carriage has a body length of 59 foot & 9 inches, so I had to join two ILM AW elliptical roofs together to get the required length. The underframe was scratch built in styrene sheet and strips, and brass wire was used for the truss rods. Underframe equipment and diaphragm doors are from the range of SEM spare parts. The bogies were V / PL bogies available as a brass kit from BGM, but I don t recommend them because they are expensive and fiddly to assemble. I think Trainbuilder sell the same bogies already assembled and very finely detailed for the same price. Decals were spare SEM decals left over from building W-car kits. BCPL Economy Class Carriage and Passenger Guard s Van Number in service in 1976: 32 Features: The BCPL carriages were economy class excursion carriages that also had a small van and guard s accommodation. Modelling: My model of a BCPL was also scratch built using styrene sheets and the same techniques as for the BPL. This particular BCPL had a 58 foot long body so a standard ILM AW roof could be used. http://users.tpg.com.au/sllyname/model_vr/woodcars.pdf p 9