CREATING THE LOAD

1 Identical loads were created for both the kit-built ‘Salmon’ and the Flangeway RTR model. Peco Code 75 concrete sleeper track was cut into 60ft scale lengths, using a set of Xuron rail cutting shears. The cut ends were then dressed square with a flat needle file.

2 The track load will add extra mass to the plastic kit-built wagon, which is essential for reliable running. The webbing between every sleeper was cut away. This was laborious, especially with four lengths of track to treat per wagonload, but it will add extra realism.

3 With the webbing removed, the sleepers need to be kept in place, so a thin bead of thin cyano glue was run into each joint, using a pinpoint applictor tip. Work against a straightedge to keep everything aligned and the sleepers spaced evenly.

4 When the cyano glue had cured, the track lengths were sprayed with a mix of grey, brown and black aerosol primers. The underside of each panel was also treated, as these will be visible when the loads are stacked.

5 An airbrush offered the quickest way to paint the rails a rusty red/brown shade. My loads represent used track panels. New panels will need to be cleaner and the rails a more orange-red shade. The wagons were also weathered with the airbrush.

6 The track panels were stacked neatly, each layer being fixed with a thin bead of cyano glue, applied through a precision applicator tip. A drop of accelerator fluid made the bonds instant. Fine brass chain, preblackened, was fixed to the securing rings.

7 Any spare lengths of chain were placed into the chain locker beneath the frames, adding a bit of extra visual interest. This wagon has yet to receive numbers and markings, as I’ve misplaced my super-fine ink pens. So that’s a job for another day…

Offering a pleasant contrast with the later style of BR ‘Salmon’ offered recently by Flangeway, the Cambrian kit provided an enjoyable assembly project. Hornby’s plans for a RTR ‘Salmon’ feature both the LMS and BR designs.