(15/04/2025) Two more end wagons done this afternoon, from another Runswick Leamside rake. This time it’s a rake of domestic coal HEA and HSA wagons by Bachmann. The old type with massive tension lock couplings. One end was detailed with three link coupling, air pipe and lamp. I have left the pipe and lamp. The other (loco) end just had a three link coupling. All wagons had new metal wheels of the correct diameter, 12.5mm. As with the MGR wagons, the tension locks were cut off and the plastic surfaces smoothed down (to take plastic weld). Using Evergreen plastic strip, I built up the underside to take an NEM 362 pocket, until the correct height was reached. Both wagons were then checked against each other and all the locos they will be used with, to ensure the couplings are at the right height. I don’t have a height gauge, as from experience lots of NEM pockets are not in the right place and they move under load, so this works better for me. Looking through the Hunt coupling range, I can see quite a few that would work within the rake, but that is for another time and when funds allow.

Posted by Wagons Mike at 2025-04-15 18:01:55 UTC