West Highland Models wagons on eBay - any experiences?

cmason · April 04, 2025, 12:47:19 PM

Quote from: ScottishModeller on April 04, 2025, 01:14:09 AM
Quote from: bigdawgks on April 04, 2025, 12:19:13 AMhowever I did discover that the integrated NEM coupler pockets were not very good.

The flexible material on the chassis I think works well for all the fine details, but it did not seem up to the task for NEM pockets. The motion in the couplers felt sticky. The parts flex too much to keep tolerances and ultimately proved to be too delicate as I damaged one pocket on every wagon by clamping it in an alligator clip (lesson learned there).

However, I'm kinda glad I went with my backup plan of replacing them with Dapol NEM pockets. I tore out all the printed pockets (which were weak enough to just pry the bottoms off with my fingers). I then cut and filed off all remnants until there was a smooth surface to mount the Dapol ones. I also used Peco wheelsets in place of the included printed ones.

Hi all,

I was beginning to think it was just me!

I agree with all the points raised.

But I decided on a different approach to finding a solution.

I've coated the whole model in extra thin superglue.

This stabilised the print and stopped it being as flexible.

Not had chance to run the rake yet, but will do shortly.

Thanks
Phil H

Interesting - so far I have had no issues with the coupling pockets - I guess time will tell on that one. However definitely need to swap out the wheels for Peco. Also they are in deed a tight fit for reassembly however that cannot really be avoided if taking apart for glossing, decaling and then matt varnishing the body without getting varnish on the chassis,

Colin.

XC1978 · May 26, 2025, 10:42:19 PM

I've had a go with the GWR 16ft box vans. I bought the ones with magnetic couplings and these seem to work well with other wagons I have that are fitted with Hunt couplings from West Hill Wagon Works. I initially changed the wheels for Peco metal wheels but these did not run well (too tight a fit). I then changed them for some of the cheaper plastic spoked wheels and they run perfectly. I also fitted tie-bars to some of the wagons based on prototype drawings/photos as I feel this is something that is quite noticeable on models. I painted them in Railmatch GWR goods stock grey and lettered them with an old sheet of Woodhead transfers I happened to have left over.

Bealman · May 26, 2025, 11:39:17 PM

Nice job!

cmason · May 27, 2025, 04:11:47 AM

@XC1978

Looks good! Now you spur to me to get move some of mine up the lettering queue!

Quote from: XC1978 on May 26, 2025, 10:42:19 PMlettered them with an old sheet of Woodhead transfers I happened to have left over.

That makes me jealous! I really want to get hold of a Woodhead LNER sheet(s) as there are tranfers on there that have not been done elsewhere since! I keep scanning ebay but so far to no avail,

Colin.

Newportnobby · May 27, 2025, 09:44:58 AM

Quote from: Bealman on May 26, 2025, 11:39:17 PMNice job!

Wot he said, and welcome to the forum.
How about a post in the 'Intro' section with maybe some pics of your GWR layout?

Platy767 · May 27, 2025, 09:52:04 AM

@cmason

Colin, in addition to the Woodhead WT20 transfer sheet details I have previously posted in your custom decals thread https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=54628.0 , there is a another (newer? , but still ancient) Woodhead LNER / LMS sheet WT220. These are smaller transfer sheets with less overall variety, but includes numbers on the 4 sheets.

Mark

cmason · May 27, 2025, 10:41:55 AM

Quote from: Platy767 on May 27, 2025, 09:52:04 AM@cmason

Colin, in addition to the Woodhead WT20 transfer sheet details I have previously posted in your custom decals thread https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=54628.0 , there is a another (newer? , but still ancient) Woodhead LNER / LMS sheet WT220. These are smaller transfer sheets with less overall variety, but includes numbers on the 4 sheets.

Mark

@Platy767

Mark - thanks for the info - I do keep on searching for Woodhead sheets. What I am searching for right now is QUAD lettering as I have a "fistful" ( term defiend for me by @Train Waiting ) of (L)NER QUADS to finish. See:

https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=52472.msg861659#msg861659

Cheers,

Colin.

ScottishModeller · May 27, 2025, 02:42:56 PM

Hi all,

As far as I can remember (it is a long time ago).....

The Woodhead artwork went to Cambrian Models and then (I think) ended up with Modelmaster Decals.

I.m another one who searches all the small item boxes at exhibitions and shops looking to replace the ones I am currently using up at a great rate!

Phil H

cmason · May 28, 2025, 12:25:23 AM

Quote from: ScottishModeller on May 27, 2025, 02:42:56 PMThe Woodhead artwork went to Cambrian Models and then (I think) ended up with Modelmaster Decals.

@ScottishModeller

Phil,

unfortunately the Modelmaster sheet is incomplete and does not have everything the Woodhead did..

Cheers,

Colin.

KevTheBusDriver · October 24, 2025, 09:21:30 PM

I recently acquired

6off 16T unfitted minerals: look very good, run well straight from the box, nice close coupling (buffer spacing looks excellent), appear to be diag 104/106 but have Morton brake AND bottom doors...? Wheels are spoked (with very finely detailed spokes!)

4off 24.5T minerals: look good, run well straight from the box, buffer spacing is fine. Wheels 3-hole disc.

3off LMS 6-wheel milk vans: look very nice, centre axle has flangeless wheels (3-hole discs) - they run ok on plain track, have yet to see how they run on the layout.

Overall I'm very impressed with these items! Thy are nicely painted and as the maker says, the addition of lettering will give something I can use, at a lower cost than Fa**** or Da***.
Kev E.