#howto #howtoguide #kitbuilding A few members asked if I'd do a how to guide on building a wagon kit, so here we are! The kit I'm building is a pre-printed kit from POWSides, but the guide is applicable to pretty much any short wheel base rolling stock kit. 1) first step is the underframe. Carefully removing the solebard from the sprue and make sure that everything is square. Carefully file flat the ends of the solebars and add the bearings. To add the bearings, simply squeeze them in with pliers. 2) glue the solebars to the wagon floor making sure that everything is square. While the glue is drying, place the wheels in place and gently clamps the solebars together to ensure a good fit and that the wheels won't fall out. 3) start adding the body. I started with the end as the buffer beams sit under the wagon floor, helping with locating the parts. At this point add the couplings of your choice. Also add the buffers, drilling out the holes if needed. 4) once these have dried, add the sides. You'll notice that I've only part painted the sides, this is because I'll be adding a load and so the full inside won't be seen. 5) with the body complete return to the underframe. You don't need to do this last, this is just how I did this one. Usually the brake gear is in once piece with two brake shoes for each side. Remove the parts from the sprue and test fit, making sure they line up with the wheels. File as needed to make sure that the brake shoes line up with the wheels and dont prevent smooth running. 6) lastly add the brake levers to each side and paint the under frame. Add weight underneath the chassis making sure that it doesn't foul the wheels. And that's it! This is by no means a definitive guide on how to build a wagon kit, but it's my way and it works for me. I hope someone finds it useful.

Posted by Josh S at 2021-06-28 13:50:36 UTC