When needing lots and lots of short wagons

[Reptilian Feline]

I hope this is in the right section. If not, please move it.

I need lots and lots of short wheel base wagons, for coal, wood, equipment, and other goods. Mostly coal, since the area I'm modelling was renowned for their coal, so much so, that the station master was a reseller.

I was wondering if the best approach to this would be to buy used wagons and turn them into what I need, or to buy wheels, and build my own from scratch in card (or wood or plastic or what you suggest).

As for coupling... it will be close coupling the DIY style, once I decide on what kind will work best for me.

[jpendle]

You could buy second-hand or make kits.

Peco sell RTR wagon chassis, they also sell wagon kits.

The NER (a main constituent of the LNER) used hopper wagons for coal from quite an early date, as opposed to other companies who used traditional 5 & 7 plank wagons for coal.

Regards,

John P

[zwilnik]

Definitely try the Peco wagon kits. They're fun to make (very simple), easy to modify if you want slightly different ones and relatively cheap.

[Papyrus]

It might be worth keeping an eye on eBay. I search 'job lot' under n gauge model railways, and you can quite often see quite large collections of wagons for sale. Some may need a bit of attention, and you may have to accept a few items you don't really want, but you can get a few bargains that way.

Cheers,

Chris

[zwilnik]

It might be worth keeping an eye on eBay. I search 'job lot' under n gauge model railways, and you can quite often see quite large collections of wagons for sale. Some may need a bit of attention, and you may have to accept a few items you don't really want, but you can get a few bargains that way.

Cheers,

Chris

This (and Peco kits) was how I built up most of my collection. You'll get a few duffers like the old Lima ones, but even they work and look half decent if you swap out the wheels.

As Chris said, you'll get a few in each bundle that aren't ones you want, but you can always take the body off the chassis and use the chassis as the basis for a scratch build.

[Chris Morris]

Another vote for Peco wagon kits from me.

Cheap as chips from Hattons. 

https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist/1000407/1000589/1000637/0/peco_products_n_gauge_wagons/prodlist.aspx]  [url]https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist/1000407/1000589/1000637/0/peco_products_n_gauge_wagons/prodlist.aspx  [/url]

[chrism]

Another vote for Peco wagon kits from me.

Cheap as chips from Hattons - corrected URL

https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist/1000407/1000589/1000637/0/peco_products_n_gauge_wagons/prodlist.aspx

[crewearpley40]

Will this help https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist/1000407/1000589/1000637/0/peco_products_n_gauge_wagons/prodlist.aspx

[Reptilian Feline]

The Hatton website is very good for references, but with brexit... I'm not sure buying from them would work. I hate to pay doulbe on taxes; once in the UK and once in customs in Sweden.

I'll see if I can find the Peco kits somewhere easier, but thanks for the tip.

Is there anyone else that makes kits?

[wombat457]

I might be wrong Reptilian Feline but if you live outside of the UK, I don't think you pay their VAT - I know I have never paid VAT when buying from Hatton's ??

[Bealman]

The N Gauge Society make kits, but it is my understanding that they are only available to members.

[JanW]

The Peco kits are available in the Netherlands:
https://www.dtswebshop.nl/en/search/Peco%20knr/

[markie]

I purchased wagons from the N Gauge Society, and very good they are. I always find that hand painting (not got on to airbrush yet) kits rather than RTR seem to look more realistic. Maybe just me.
Also nice to see wagons on your layout that you have built.

[Reptilian Feline]

I purchased wagons from the N Gauge Society, and very good they are. I always find that hand painting (not got on to airbrush yet) kits rather than RTR seem to look more realistic. Maybe just me.
Also nice to see wagons on your layout that you have built.

Making things yourself is so much more pleasing isn't it?

I'm fine with RTR on locos, if I can find the right ones, because of all the tiny details, but the rest... I'm happy to build from kits.

[Reptilian Feline]

I have a few more questions about the kits.

Do they have all the parts needed including the wheels, or do I need to find chassis separately?

Could I 3D print some? I have a 3D printer now.
What would be the best options for buying wheels?