Four Wheel Goods Wagons David Baillie, 30 May 2015

The A to Z of Modelling the Victorian Railways 1976 Rollingstock

FOUR WHEELGOODS WAGONS

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B Box VanNumber in service in 1976: 374

Prototype:The B van was built in the late 1950’s onrecycled 22 foot I wagon underframes withnew bodies. They were used throughout theVR system for general goods.

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HO Modelling:The photo above shows a completed SEM kitof B89. The B van can be built from Steam EraModels kit R8. The kit can be better detailedwith the addition of a lever handbrake andshunter’s steps. I also remove the mouldedon handrails and replace them with wireparts.

B89 Kit-built (SEM kit)

FJ Flour HopperNumber in service in 1976: 2

FJ9 Kit-bash (BGB & SEM kits)

Prototype:These twin pneumatic hopper bulk flourwagons were converted from J cementwagons. There were nine originally convertedin the early 1960’s for use by the Jackettsflour mill in Swan Hill.

HO Modelling:The model of FJ9 shown above was acombination of a BGB hopper body, and aSEM GY wagon underframe (C18). Theunderframe detail was all scratch built,including the brake rigging, handrails anduncoupling levers. Additional detail was alsoadded to the hoppers including catwalk,handrails and discharge pipes.

GY Open WagonNumber in service in 1976: 6140

Prototype:The GY wagon was the most numerous wagontype on the VR in the 1970’s. The GY wagonswere built in batches during the late 1920’s tothe 1950’s. They were originally painted VRwagon red, but in the 1970’s they werepainted yellow to indicate their availability forcarrying grain. After wheat harvest season,they were employed on grain trains ferryingwheat from country silos to Melbourne or theports for export. Outside grain season theywere used for carrying superphosphate orgeneral goods. When loaded with bulk grain

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or superphosphate they were covered withthe familiar green tarpaulin. Interestingly,they were rated to carry dual capacity of 16 &22 tons. On light branchline rail they wereonly allowed to carry 16 tons, but on heaviermainlines they could be loaded to 22 tons.

HO Modelling:The GY3752 model was built using SEM GY kitR1. It has been weathered with a dirty paintwash. The tarpaulin was made from thincotton material and heavily painted to retainits shape.

GY3752 Kit-built (SEM kit).

I Open WagonNumber in service in 1976: 935

I 9015 Kit-built (SEM kit).

Prototype:The I wagon was originally built as a woodframe and body in the 1800’s and designed tobe a general purpose open wagon. As woodenwagons didn’t last long, it soon became cost-effective to build steel underframes, and laterthe whole wagon out of steel. The first all-steel I wagon was known as the “TommyBent” wagon, after the VR Commissioner andVictorian Premier Thomas Bent. Thesewagons were built from 1901 onwards, andwere 18 foot long (10’6” wheelbase). Theload carrying capacity was 15 Tons.

In 1907, a longer version of the I wagon wasconstructed. The length was 22 foot (11’ 6”wheelbase), and was also distinguishable ashaving lower side walls compared to theshorter “Tommy Bent” wagons. These werealso originally designed for 15 Ton loading.More than 8000 of these wagons were built inthe years between 1908 and 1929.

HO Modelling:The 22 foot I open wagon can be easily builtwith the SEM I wagon kit (R2). The modelabove shows the SEM kit, with additionsincluding a scratch built hand brake levermade from brass strip and a load of coal.

IA Open WagonNumber in service in 1976: 994

Prototype:In 1920’s, the I class wagons were split intotwo different classes depending uponcapacity. The I class remained as a 15 tonwagon (increased to 16 tons when the bufferswere later removed), and the IA class wasintroduced as a dual load capacity of 11 / 16tons. The IA dual loading was actually part ofthe government policy to provide transportconcessions to farmers. Farmers would becharged the transport rate for 11 ton loading,but could in fact load the IA wagons to 16tons.

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HO Modelling:Steam Era Models kit R24 is a short wheelbase model of the I / IA wagon. In the photoabove of IA7632, the SEM kit has beencompleted with the addition of handbrakelever and a coal load. The load of coal isactually made from fine granules of real coalsoaked in a mix of white craft glue.

IA7632 Kit-built (SEM kit).

IC Tippler WagonNumber in service in 1976: 46

IC 7223 & IC9234 Kit-bashes.

Prototype:A tippler wagon was designed to be tippedupside down for unloading. These IC wagonswere based on I open wagons (both 18 and 22foot wagons), and modified for coal tippleruse. Modifications included permanentlywelded doors and axle box modifications toenable them to be tipped upside downwithout losing all of their oil. Tippler facilitiesinclude the paper mill at Fairfield and theHeinz plant at Dandenong.

HO Modelling:The above photos show kit-bash versions of ICwagons. SEM kit R24 was used for the 18 footwagon IC7223, and SEM kit R2 for the 22 footwagon IC9234. The kit-bash modificationmainly involves cutting out the side doors andreplacing them with styrene sheet and strip tomodel the welded doors on the prototype.

IK Flat WagonNumber in service in 1976: 56

Prototype:It was VR regulation to marshal a wagonbetween explosive vans or oil tanks and a locoor guards van. The IK wagon was dedicatedfor use on explosive trains. They were builtfrom cut down 22 foot KCC / I wagons.

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HO Modelling:The model of IK55 shown above is a scratchbuilt IK wagon. The side sills are from the SEMI underframe kit (C4). Instead of using thesupplied thick floor in the SEM kit, a 0.5mmstyrene sheet was used to provide theprototypical thin appearance of the floor. Themodel was finished off with detail such aswire handrails and decoupler bars.

IK55 Scratch-build.

IS Flat WagonNumber in service in 1976: 22

IS1 Kit-bash (SEM) & IS5 Scratch-build.

Prototype:These 26 foot open wagons were designed forhauling sawn timber from Gippsland. Theywere built by lengthening KT wagons. The firstwagon, IS1, was a trial build that differedfrom the rest of the wagons.

HO Modelling:The model of IS1 shown above was based onan instructional article in the August 2014Australian Model Railway Magazine (based onthe SEM I wagon kit).The model of IS5 was scratch built using aSEM C3 underframe kit (U/T van underframe).Bulkheads and stanchions are all modelledfrom styrene strips and shapes.

IT Open WagonNumber in service in 1976: 243

Prototype:The IT wagon was built for haulage of sawntimber from Gippsland. They were convertedfrom 22 foot I wagons, with modificationsincluding doors removed (for ease ofunloading), a 7.5 foot bulkhead at one end,high capacity springs and 2 inch smallerwheels under the bulkhead axle (higherloading at this end), and removable timberstanchions.

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HO Modelling:The model of IT272 is a kit-bash from a SEM Iwagon kit (R2). The side doors were cut fromthe kit, and then the kit assembled as perinstructions. Modifications were then made,similar to the prototype. Most noticeable isthe bulkhead at one end, and the stanchionsadded to the sides. Note that the bulkheadend has a disc wheel, similar to the prototype.

IT272 Kit-bash.

IY Open WagonNumber in service in 1976: 137

IY15373 kit-built (SEM).

Prototype:20 ton capacity versions of the 22 foot Iwagon were constructed in 1926, and thesewere classified as IY wagons. These sharedthe 11’6” wheel base and 22 foot length ofthe I wagon, but had a strengthenedunderframe, springs and journal bearings totake the increased loading. They were alsodistinguishable by their wheel handbrake oneach side, rather than the lever handbrake onthe other I wagons.

HO Modelling:The model above is a finished example of theSEM IY wagon kit (R3). It has additionaldetailing, such as brake rods and wheels, anda real load of coal briquettes. To match thebriquette loading, it has been weathered in ablack wash of paint.

J Cement HoppersNumber in service in 1976: 75

Prototype:The J wagons had twin pneumatic hoppers forcarriage of bulk cement. They were built fromseveral batches from the late 1940’s to theearly 1960’s. They had a capacity of 20 tons ofcement. The first wagons built had largehoppers, that if filled with cement, wouldexceed the 20 ton capacity. Thus later wagonsbuilt had smaller sized hoppers. They arenoticeable by their lower cell height and longfilling necks.

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HO Modelling:The above photo shows a model of J12 wagonwith low capacity hoppers. This model waskit-bashed from a BGB resin kit (a sectionthrough the hoppers removed to make themshorter) and a SEM GY underframe. All of theadditional piping of this wagon was scratchbuilt to represent the pneumatic plumbing onthe prototype.

J12 Kit-bash.

K Flat WagonNumber in service in 1976: 54

K7 Scratch-build.

Prototype:This class of general purpose flat wagonconsisted of several length and capacitywagons. There were many variations inservice over the years.

HO Modelling:K7 is a short length version of a K flat wagon.SEM underframes can be used as a basis for Kflat wagons. For this particular model, theside sills from a SEM Sheep wagon were used.The floor was constructed from 0.5mmstyrene sheet to represent a thin prototypicalappearance.

KAB Flat WagonNumber in service in 1976: 21

Prototype:The KAB wagons were especially designed tocarry manufactured Pine boards from theGippsland factory in Rosedale to SouthMelbourne. These wagons had theunderframes recycled from T and U wagons,and bulkheads fitted to secure the loading.One bulkhead was fixed, and the otherbulkhead was adjustable.

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HO Modelling:The model of KAB15 was scratch built using aSEM C3 underframe kit (U/T van underframe)as a basis. Bulkheads were all constructedusing styrene sheet and strip pieces. Fullbrake rigging was also added to the model.

KAB15 Scratch-built.

KB Open WagonNumber in service in 1976: 1

KB1 Scratch-built.

Prototype:This wagon was dedicated for transport ofkiln/fire bricks between a brick plant atDandenong and the LaTrobe Valley powerstations. The underframe was a standard 22foot I wagon underframe, and the bodyconsisted of ten partitions for each pallet offirebricks. Each wagon side had five outwardswinging doors for loading the pallets.

HO Modelling:A SEM I wagon underframe was used as astarting point to build the model shownabove. The sides were constructed in 0.5mmstyrene sheet. The ten internal partitionswere built in “egg-crate” fashion.

KC Container WagonNumber in service in 1976: 27

Prototype:These were a number of recycled IY wagonswith sides removed and container anchorsfitted for transport of LCL-type containers inthe 1950’s. As the LCL containers werereplaced by larger ISO containers in the1970’s, these wagons were subsequentlyused for transport of insulated tallow tanksbetween the Uncle Bens pet food factory inWodonga and Melbourne.

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HO Modelling:A SEM GY wagon underframe was the startingpoint for this kit-bash model of KC90.Container anchor brackets were made for thedeck. Full brake rigging was added to theunderframe.

KC90 Kit-bash

KCC Container WagonNumber in service in 1976: 6

KCC153 Kit-bash.

Prototype:The KCC wagon was converted from 22 foot Iwagons to transport bulk cement containers.They were mainly used in the construction ofthe Snowy Mountains hydroelectric scheme.

HO Modelling:The model of KCC153 is a kit-bash from theSEM I wagon kit (R2). The side doors were cutfrom the kit, and then the kit assembled asper instructions. Brackets inside the containerwere fitted to secure the containers. Thecement containers were resin castings fromBullmanka Models.

KL Flat WagonNumber in service in 1976: 19

Prototype:With the advent of the 20 foot ISO shippingcontainers, most country stations on the VRnetwork were unable to load/unload themdue to lack of suitable cranes to lift them. Analternative solution was to load the ISOcontainers at the station while they were stillon their wagon. By placing a KL flat wagonbetween container wagons, the doors of thecontainers could be opened, and a forklift runonto the KL wagon for loading the containers.

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HO Modelling:For the model of KL2 shown above, the sideframes from a SEM I wagon underframe werefitted to a 0.5mm sheet of styrene torepresent the floor. The styrene sheet had acheque-plate pattern to replicate the steelplate designed for fork-lift loads on theprototype. Model was completed with brakerigging.

KL2 Kit-bash.

KMC Container WagonNumber in service in 1976: 3

KMC3 Kit-bash.

Prototype:These were a small group of containerwagons that could carry up to two LCLcontainers. They were built for use by ManyeNicklaus Transport Company in the 1960’s.When they were no longer needed in the1970’s, they were put to use carryinginsulated tallow tanks between Wodonga andMelbourne.

HO Modelling:A SEM GY underframe kit was used for thebasis of this model of KMC3. Container anchorbrackets were made from styrene channeland strips. Full brake rigging was also addedto the model.The container was scratch built by building abox out of styrene sheet and strip.

KMQ Container WagonNumber in service in 1976: 130

Prototype:As 20 foot ISO containers became the newstandard for international shipping of goods,there was a need for railway wagons thatcould transport them. As unused U and Twagons became available, the VR convertedthem into flat wagons with anchors suited tothe ISO containers. These KMQ wagons werein use on the VR in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

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HO Modelling:The model of wagon KMQ90 shown abovestarted with the side frames from the SEMU/T underframe kit. The SEM floor wasreplaced with 0.5mm styrene sheet with achequered plate pattern. Brake rigging underthe wagon, and container anchor bracketswere all scratch built.

KMQ90 Scratch built.

KPC Container WagonNumber in service in 1976: 5

KPC505 Scratch built.

Prototype:This was a small number of container wagonsthat were built especially to carry containersfor the Prestige fabric company in Ararat inthe 1960’s and 1970’s.

HO Modelling:A set of SEM I wagon underframe side sillswere cut to the correct wheel base by slicinga section from the middle. The floor was thenbuilt from 0.5mm styrene sheet. The wagonwas completed with container brackets andbrake rigging.The container was fabricated as a box madefrom styrene sheet and strips.

KPW Flat WagonNumber in service in 1976: 1

Prototype:This was a one-off wagon built for carryingpulpwood. It had fixed bulkheads at each end,and removable gates along the sides.

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HO Modelling:This model of KPW1 started off with a set ofside sills from the SEM I wagon underframekit. The floor and bulkheads were then builtup from styrene sheet. The side gates werebuilt from home-made brass etchings. It alsohas full brake rigging, wire handrails anddecoupler bars.

KPW1 Scratch built.

KQ Container WagonNumber in service in 1976: 60

KQ8 Scratch built.

Prototype:These wagons were converted from RY openwagons by having their sides removed andcontainer anchors fitted. There wereconverted in the 1970’s to cover the shortageof wagons able to transport the 20 foot ISOshipping containers.

HO Modelling:This model of KQ8 shown in the picture wasvery simple to build. The side and end sillswere glued to the floor sheet. A set of sidesills from the SEM GY underframe kit werethen fitted inside the underframe structure.Full brake rigging and handrail and stepdetailing was then added. There are also smallcontainer anchor brackets fitted to the deck.

KS Flat WagonNumber in service in 1976: 7

Prototype:These wagons were converted from IYwagons in the 1950’s to transport scantlingtimber (pre-cut timber) between the Orbostsawmill and the distributor in PortMelbourne.

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HO Modelling:The model of KS2 was based on the SEM GYunderframe kit. The side and end panels werethen built up, followed by the stanchions. Themodel was completed with detailed brakerigging and handrails on the bulkhead. Notethe extra detailing of lashing rings made fromhome-made brass etchings.

KS2 Scratch-built.

KT Flat WagonNumber in service in 1976: 20

KT327 Scratch-built.

Prototype:This group of wagons were originally built forcarrying 7 foot long pine logs to the Maryvillepaper mill. However, the traffic stopped in1972 as the paper mill transferred to roadtransport. They were then modified byremoving their internal bulkheads, so thatthey could carry pre-packaged scantlingtimber (up to 22 foot long) between theOrbost sawmill and the distributor in PortMelbourne.

HO Modelling:KT327 started with the SEM GY underframekit. Bulkheads were then built from styrenesheet. Styrene channel pieces were used forthe stanchions and bracing. Model was thencompleted with the detailing for brakes,handrails and number boards.

KW Flat WagonNumber in service in 1976: 1

Prototype:This single wagon was converted from an Iwagon for woodchip traffic between Colacand Melbourne. Apparently it didn’t last longin traffic.

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HO Modelling:This model of KW1 started with a SEM Iwagon underframe kit. The bulkheads werebuilt with styrene sheet. Then the frame forthe cage sides was built with styrene stripsand channels. Brass mesh etching was addedto complete the sides. Brake and handraildetailing is then added to complete themodel.

KW1 Scratch-built.

L Livestock WagonNumber in service in 1976: 668

L342 Kit-built (SEM).

Prototype:This was a large group of wagons builtthroughout the years for the carrying oflivestock (including sheep, pigs, and goats).They had four separate compartments withsliding doors on each side, and a totalcapacity of 100 sheep. The wagons built priorto 1925 had a gable roof, whereas the latterbuilt wagons are distinguishable by a curvedroof.

HO Modelling:The model of L342 shown in the pictureabove was built following the instructions inthe L wagon SEM kit (R26). This SEM kitcomes with brass etchings of the brake levers,as well as fine etchings of the cage bars. Thisan early version of the L wagon with the gableroof.

M Cattle WagonNumber in service in 1976: 415

Prototype:The timber cattle wagons were in service onthe VR for more than 100 years (althoughtheir underframes were updated in the1950’s). They had a single compartment tocarry up to 10 tons of cattle, and a combineddoor / loading ramp on each side.

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HO Modelling:M215 cattle wagon shown above was builtfrom the M wagon SEM kit (R7). Note theweathering effect of extra dirt on the cattleramp door.

M215 Kit-built (SEM).

MB Cattle WagonNumber in service in 1976: 2

MB2 Kit-bash.

Prototype:Two M cattle wagons were convertedespecially for carrying bulls in 1969. Themodification was simply removal of one ofthe side planks so that an additional lashingbar could be fitted to the wagon.

HO Modelling:The model of MB2 was a simple kit-bash ofthe SEM M wagon kit. Prior to building the kit,a plank is cut from the body sides, and a pieceof styrene rod glued in its place to representthe lashing bar. This SEM kit was furtherdetailed by shaving off the moulded handrails, and replaced with wire parts.

O Hopper WagonNumber in service in 1976: 38

Prototype:This batch of hopper wagons were builtbetween 1915 and 1923 mainly for coal trafficfrom Wonthaggi to the Newport powerstation. In the 1970’s these hoppers were inuse for limestone transport in Gippsland.

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HO Modelling:The modelling of O322 shown in the photowas undertaken with two main sub-assemblies; the underframe and the hopper.SEM I wagon side sills were cut and shut toget the correct wheel base. The floor at theends were then glued to form the basis of theframe. The hopper was constructed fromsheet styrene, with careful work to get thecorrect slope angles. Capping and ribs wereadded to complete it. The frame and hopperwere then mated, with the end braces helpingto secure the whole assembly.

O322 Scratch-built.

OC Hopper WagonNumber in service in 1976: 74

OC371 Scratch-built.

Prototype:These wagons were converted from O hopperwagons with fitment of a covered roof andfilling hatches. They were for use intransporting sand for glass making betweenGippsland, Dandenong and Melbourne.

HO Modelling:OC371 is quite a complex model for a fourwheeled wagon due to the amount of detail.The sequence of build were the same as my Ohopper wagon. Then a roof, hatch, boardwalkand ladder was added to the top of thehopper. Discharge chutes and hand wheelswere added to the bottom of the hopper tocomplete the model.

Oil Tank WagonNumber in service in 1976: 53

Prototype:The Oil Tanks were a collection of varioustank wagons, with many owned by the oilcompanies. They were generally classified as“Oil Tank”, as opposed to “OT-class”.

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HO Modelling:This model of Oil Tank 16 was scratch built intwo sub-assemblies. The underframe side sillswere cut-and-shut SEM I side sills to get thecorrect wheelbase. The rest of the skeletalframe was then built using styrene strips.The tank was then built as the second sub-assembly. A piece of plastic conduit was usedfor the tank body, and detailing added.The BP signage was drawn on a PC andprinted on photo paper.

Oil Tank 16 Scratch-built.

P Box VanNumber in service in 1976: 48

P14 Kit-built (SEM).

Prototype:This was a special batch of wagons built in the1950’s for the transport of explosives fromthe Ardeer munitions factory. They werepainted with distinctive bright red bodies andblack underframes. There were also rules inhow they were marshalled together in a train.

HO Modelling:The P Van SEM kit (R23) was built followingthe instructions to represent P14 in the photoabove. The moulded on hand rails anddecoupler rods were shaved off and replacedwith wire parts.

RY Open WagonNumber in service in 1976: 1527

Prototype:These were a class of general purpose openwagons. They were built as IZ, GZ and HZclasses in the 1920’s and 1930’s, andreclassified to RY in the 1960’s. They were not“grain proofed”, so were not used in wheattraffic.

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HO Modelling:This model of RY5 was built from the SEM RYwagon kit. This “new generation” of SEMcomes with more detail than the previousgeneration. For example, it includes all of thebrake rigging and separate brass handrails tocomplete a detailed model.

RY5 Kit-built (SEM).

T Insulated VanNumber in service in 1976: 293

T392 Kit-built (SEM) and T426 Scratch-built.

Prototype:This was a class of three distinct type ofwagon for transport of perishable goodsrequiring refrigeration. They all featured thickinsulated walls and ice bunkers in the roof.The first batch of wagons were built in the1890’s to 1900’s with a capacity of 10 tonsand 18 foot bodies. The second batch werebuilt in the 1910’s to 1920’s, and had acapacity of 15 tons and 25’7” bodies. Thedistinctive feature of these wagons were the6 wheels when they were built with, buthaving been converted to 4 wheel wagonslater in life. The last batch of wagons built in1954 had insulated steels bodies.

HO Modelling:The model of T392, a wood body version ofthe T van, was built from SEM kit R5 (LWB). Ithas additional brake rigging and hand railsfitted.The model of T426, a steel body version ofthe T van, was scratch built. The underframewas built using the SEM U/T underframe kit.The steel body was built using styrene sheet.All of the detail on the body, such as doors,roof hatches and boardwalks were also builtusing styrene pieces.

U Louvered VanNumber in service in 1976: 1051

Prototype:There were a large variation in styles of thislarge class of louvered vans. Notably thevariations include the length of theunderframe (and carrying capacity of thevan), type of louvers, size of doors and type ofroof. They were commonly used for carryingfruit and other perishable goods throughoutthe state.

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HO Modelling:The model of U845 was built following theinstructions in the U Van SEM kit (R4).The SEM kit can be also modified to representthe many variations in this class of van. SEMhave released another version of the LWB Uvan with a corrugated iron roof.

U845 Kit-built (SEM).