British Industrial Sand PGA in N (part 3)...

In the past week or so a pair of wagons has appeared in photographs and videos - but until now, has not been described in a little more detail. In Part 1 I introduced the project and made a good start on the first wagon, in Part 2 I had got the pair ready for painting. Today let's wrap things up...

If you remember these models started out as Cavalex Redland PGA wagons - but unlike Graham Farish in the 1980s I wasn't satisfied with just sticking the sand livery on a 'nearly' right model - instead I stripped them down to component parts and modified the profile, added detail and created custom parts. 

The finishing touch though are the markings - these are waterslide decals I designed and had printed especially for the project. I couldn't find any artwork for the BIS logo, so this was drawn up by hand (the type was easier to recreate). I chose a washed out colour, rather than 'as built' bright orange as my intent was to represent these wagons towards the end of Speedlink, when they operated in short trains between Holmethorpe (near Redhill, Surrey) and the Lever factory at Warrington (Bank Quay).

I also drew up some data panels, but relied upon Fox and N Gauge Society markings for some of the other smaller pieces on the lower body sides. Once applied over a gloss lacquer they were sealed with satin lacquer and then the wagons were weathered, lightly - in my usual manner (Humbrol 98/33 washes and removal). To finish them off a sand load was created (allowing me to hide some weight inside the wagon too, fluid lead and superglue), simply a sheet of styrene cut to size, some slight mounds added with filler, painted with Humbrol 110 and drowned in sand from a beach and left to dry, before cleaning up and fitting... 

I recognise myself going through the motions today, describing each step as a cold clinical process. That misses the point a little - for these wagons exist because of me, and because I wanted to make them. Not just for the finished result, but because I enjoy the processes and the approach. 

You may well be thinking 'don't those Cavalex PGA come as a pack of 3?' and you'd be right. There is a third sat on my bench, in bits - but this isn't destined to become a sand hopper - rather a rather more involved re-build. I am keen to try one of the Tullis Russel PAAs with their taller appearance because of the steeper angle of their hopper sides and thinner body ribs. This will be another enjoyable project I'm sure - but one for another day. Until next time, more soon...

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