My Brake Vans with Guards Equipped (they’re so cute!)

[mca0004]

A strange joy I've found is equipping guards to my brake vans.

I love brake vans! It's one of my obsessions in this hobby. It's why I can never model modern stuff, since to me, a train isn't finished without a brake van/coach at the back.

So now that I've given most of my vans guards, they feel much more complete.







My only van without a guard is my Queen Mary, because I'll need to get the roof off, but I've got the dexterity of a ape, and I'm scared I'll break it.

[crewearpley40]

You have made a neat realistic addition there.

[martyn]

Most of my steam locos have crews, as they are visible, but only a couple of brake vans.

Photos of the back of a train are rare-and possibly the guard feels most comfortable with his little coal stove to keep him warm!

I've also added tail lamps to them, but only a centre red one on most. Some have the white one at each side at the top.

Nice work, though.

Martyn

[Bealman]

Very good. The first copy of Railway Modeller magazine I ever saw was a 1957 issue which had a layout called Stephenton as railway of the month.

The front cover featured a close up of a guard's van disappearing into a tunnel, complete with a guard figure. I've never forgotten that picture (I still have that issue), and it's effect on me and my modelling philosophy.

Cool! 

[Steven B]

Nice work - are you adding tail lamps next?

Steven B.

[mca0004]

Nice work - are you adding tail lamps next?

Steven B.

If I knew where I could get some, probably.

Most of my steam locos have crews, as they are visible, but only a couple of brake vans.

I'd want to do that, but I can't. My 54xx's DCC chip is in its cab, so I can't give that a crew, and my A4 has a drive sharft going right through its cab! I could most likely get away with the A4 if I was clever, but I'm too scared of getting the way of the drive sharft to try.

[Newportnobby]

Nice work - are you adding tail lamps next?

Steven B.

If I knew where I could get some, probably.

ModelU do tail lamps. Select your preferred item and then select scale when the page opens.....

https://www.modelu3d.co.uk/product-category/detailing-components/loco-rolling-stock-lamps/tail-lamps/

Note - the guard should be facing down the train rather than watching the scenery in most cases

[martyn]

Hi;

You can buy tail (and head) lamps from, amongst others, Springside (rather large) and Modelu; these are much smaller. Langley may also do them.

Appreciate this may be a bit difficult for you to obtain as you are in Oz; but short cuts of plastic rodding or strip can look convincing with a blob or two of paint on them.

I also have no crews in my Britannias for the same reason as you, likewise some of the tank engines. Just not enough room! But the 0-6-0s, 4-4-0, and 4-6-0s have them.

As NPN has said, the guard should be looking forward along the length of his train; it was part of his duty to make sure that the train was running correctly, and at least on passenger trains, if practicable, should also keep a look-out for signals to make sure they were being obeyed. Not sure about look out for signals on freight trains.

Martyn

[mca0004]

I managed to get a guard into my Queen Mary.





And with that, all my vans have guards!

Note - the guard should be facing down the train rather than watching the scenery in most cases

As NPN has said, the guard should be looking forward along the length of his train; it was part of his duty to make sure that the train was running correctly, and at least on passenger trains, if practicable, should also keep a look-out for signals to make sure they were being obeyed. Not sure about look out for signals on freight trains.

Thank you both for the tip! I didn't realise that, I've been running trains with the guard facing away from the trains. I'll have them the correct way now.

[OneTrackMind]

Very good. The first copy of Railway Modeller magazine I ever saw was a 1957 issue which had a layout called Stephenton as railway of the month.

The front cover featured a close up of a guard's van disappearing into a tunnel, complete with a guard figure. I've never forgotten that picture (I still have that issue), and it's effect on me and my modelling philosophy.

Cool! 

I did some fact checking  - mainly because I was curious! It was April 1959.

Here is one of my guard's vans!




All the Best
Nigel H

[osborns]

TRADE for anyone else interested in equipping their guards vans try https://www.osbornsmodels.com/ocww--aln043-goods-guard-3d-printed-unpainted-figure-44149-p.asp

[emjaybee]

I managed to get a guard into my Queen Mary.





And with that, all my vans have guards!

Note - the guard should be facing down the train rather than watching the scenery in most cases

As NPN has said, the guard should be looking forward along the length of his train; it was part of his duty to make sure that the train was running correctly, and at least on passenger trains, if practicable, should also keep a look-out for signals to make sure they were being obeyed. Not sure about look out for signals on freight trains.

Thank you both for the tip! I didn't realise that, I've been running trains with the guard facing away from the trains. I'll have them the correct way now.

That's a lovely selection. They are very enigmatic.

When you get a chance, you could have a go at building one of these...

[mca0004]

When you get a chance, you could have a go at building one of these...

I'd live too, but I don't know where I can get that kit in N gauge. I found it in O, but not N.

[Bealman]

Thanks @nharding99

You're quite correct. It was April 1959. 

[emjaybee]

When you get a chance, you could have a go at building one of these...

I'd live too, but I don't know where I can get that kit in N gauge. I found it in O, but not N.

Oh, should have said, it's not a kit. I cut up three Graham Farish brake vans and made it myself.