Railfreight Metals BBA wagon

Assembly of the wagon is neatly done with parts well secured, including the metal side stanchions and end panels. Paint finish is consistent across all components regardless of their composition, and printed details are sharp and neatly applied.

26mm long pin point axles and also closer-to scale wheels. The wheels fitted to the bogies are composed of metal and rotate freely in the frames. Brake disc inserts are present on both faces of each wheel and the associated brake callipers are fitted to the bogie frames themselves, correctly aligned with the wheel discs.

Assembly and finish

Small components become all the more apparent as the model is examined, from the lightly sprung buffers to the end panel assemblies. As supplied, the stanchions are applied to the outermost stanchion pockets and are composed of metal, as are those supplied as spares in the box. They are

The defining feature of the model is the deck with its complex arrangement of mesh and inverted u-channel with heat dissipation holes. The stanchion pockets are located in underframe cross members and can be seen though the correctly modelled gaps in the deck mesh.

well attached as all of the parts of the model with no glue or other assembly marks. One thing though: try removing them to relocate them on one of the other stanchion pockets in the wagon deck. Care is needed because they are well secured!

Not only is the assembly neatly done, but a consistent shade of black has been applied to all components except the end panels, which are the correct Railfreight red colour. There is no sign of any flash or other issue with the BBA model's smaller component except a faint mould line across the face of the buffers – only detected when photographs were examined.

The model has a dull, pristine finish ready for weathering, and those of you

The bogies are multi-part assemblies which are well put together and are fitted with metal wheels, which roll smoothly with no trace of wobble. The additional parts, including spare brake callipers, are supplied with each wagon.

MODEL FEATURES

■

■

■

■

■

■

■

■

Highly detailed bogie models.

Solid and neat assembly.

Etched metal wagon deck mesh. Accurately represented wagon deck. Highly detailed FBT6 bogies.

Disc brake callipers line up with the wheels.

Brake discs fitted to the wheels. Die-cast wagon underframe for weight.

that enjoy a work bench session with weathering powders and rust-coloured paints are going to have a lot of fun with this model.

There are simple conversions that can be undertaken, including removal of the ends and fitting cross bolsters. The mould line on the buffers (Cavalex Models knows about it) is easily smoothed away, too. Look how the BBA wagon deck rusts in different patterns because of heat from hot loaded steel. The Goodwood Scenics range of strip coils and other industrial scenic items is ideal for enhancing the BBA, too. A good selection of reference photographs are presented in this month's D&E files showing BBA wagons in various conditions.

To wrap up this appraisal of the Cavalex Models BBA wagon, the feeling

Bogies are highly detailed, including the correct end spacers and disc brake callipers aligned with the wheels. The side frames are adequately spaced to accept ‘EM' and ‘P4' wheels after the callipers have been relocated.

The first models of the BBA are based on the wagons as built, including end panels and side stanchion pockets. Sprung buffers are fitted and additional parts for detailing the headstocks are supplied in the box.

is that Cavalex Models is hitting the right notes with modellers, and its second wagon to date shows the level of care and attention being put into model development, boding well for the forthcoming TEA bogie tank wagon.

A Cavalex Models BLA wagon with its large coil cradles is now available from Rails of Sheffield, and Cavalex Models has hinted at other versions of the BBA family to come in the future.

An ‘N' gauge BBA is at the planning stage and its arrival will very much depend on the level of support shown for it by the ‘N' gauge community, so register your interest as soon as you can if a rake of BBAs appeals to you.

The first bogie wagon from emerging manufacturer Cavalex Models is the BBA bogie steel carrier, an important item of rolling stock of the BR Railfreight era and one that will be welcomed by heavy freight modellers.