You wait and then two come along…
The Railfreight VDA, almost like wallpaper, everywhere, taken for granted and then out of fashion…
This pair of prototype parts have found a home here on Paxton Road. I don’t do promotion, I paid for these parts because I think they’re good, I’m telling you because I believe in them. If you model in N and are reasonably confident assembling plastic kits then you’ll find these a doddle. Thank you Will, for making them happen. Until next time, more soon…
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| A pair of VDAs in N. Coventry Rail Works chassis and roof with ex-TPM sides and ends. |
The VDA were the last development of the original 12t van really (the VGA that followed was wholly different, BRs adoption of the ‘new’ ferry van concept with lightweight large sliding doors). Built in 1975 my Hornby model as a child really was ‘modern image’.
In N gauge we have had the original Poole designed Farish VBA - and some rather clever parts in the old TPM range to convert this to a VCA or VDA. However the VBA hasn’t been in the Bachmann re-released range for some time and second hand prices are high. In addition, the VDA was on a chassis that didn’t really look much like the prototype.
In the gap between then, and a future precision RTR release has stepped Coventry Rail Works - Will has designed a chassis that whilst isn’t quite scale length as it uses the TPM kit sides and ends, is the right design. The parts also include a 3D printed roof so you can do away with the Farish donor and just source the chassis from Will and the ex-TPM kit from the N Gauge Society.
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| VDA (left) with Farish VBa (right). |
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The VDA looks really good. I'd looked at the ex-tpm kit, unfortunately the N gauge soc store photo doesnt do the kit justice, with a seemingly thick coat of paint, good to see the detail is actually quite good. The roof isnt listed on Will's ebay store, do you know if he plans to add it soon?
ReplyDeleteNot publicly available yet Dave, I asked and paid for them off-line, I believe there are discussions about how to market them. We’ll see… Will will no doubt tell us all on his social media.
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