New Victorian Railways 4 wheel kit.
During 1895-97 Newport Workshops and a number of contractors built 167 wooden ventilated box vans featuring louvered bodies. Originally intended for perishable traffic they carried the number range U113 – 280 excluding no 278. During the 1930’s a conversion plan saw steel underframes and auto couplers fitted. By the 1950’s the high cost of maintenance on the wooden structure would see their number fall as a number of underframes went into the new P van explosive wagons being constructed in 1958-59. Around this time the remaining 42 Robinson Pattern ‘U’ vans were recoded HD for departmental use only and lasted well into the 1970’s with the last being condemned in 1980.
The kit features 3D printed FXD underframe, wheels, cast wagon body and decals to suit both U/HD. This is an easy kit to put together and would make a great edition to a train or just sitting in a siding.
Photo courtesy of Rob O'Regan
Finished well weathered model.
