Passenger Brake Van No. 20 to Diagram V5

There are currently no 4-wheel PBVs available in pure plastic kit form, but that does not mean the less experienced modeller needs be without one. In particular, the diagram V5 type can be built fairly easily using components from other kits, since this diagram draws heavily on standard measurements employed widely across the GWR 4-wheeler fleet. Indeed, the V5 can be constructed from a number of sources:

• An RTR conversion based on the short Triang clerestory coaches (as described below)
  
• An all-plastic kit conversion based on the Ratio diagram T59 Brake Third
  
• The Shirescenes combined etched brass and plastic kit (using Ratio parts)
  
• The etched brass kit from Alan Gibson

The order of the above list also provides a hint on the degree of detail and accuracy obtainable from these four options. Hence the Triang conversion does involve certain compromises, most notably an inaccuracy of about 1½ mm in the height of the coach sides. However, the great attraction of the project lies in the possibility of using the left-over brake ends from the C22 conversion (see the previous page). If that isn't plastic recycling, I don't know what is!

• 2 Triang Clerestory Brake Thirds (brake ends only)
  
• Ratio 4-wheeler underframe and roof
  
• Maunsell wheels, brass bearings and short coach buffers from Alan Gibson
• ABS low roof ventilators
• Slaters Plastikard (sheet)

Apart from the Triang coaches, all of the above items (including the separate Ratio parts) should be available from Mainly Trains (usual disclaimer), whose mail order service I can highly recommend. The Ratio underframe can be either the longer version for the T47 Brake Third, or the shorter version for the U4 Composite and S9 All Third. The Triang coaches themselves are fairly easy to pick up second-hand at exhibitions, swapmeets or on-line auctions such as ebay. In terms of drawings, I used the one in JH Russels "Great Western Coaches" as a basis for the project.

• Prepairing the main coach body
  The two Triang Brake ends were each cut with a razor saw just after the guards lookout, allowing the two ends to be joined as seen in the photo above. As always, I spent much time filing, smoothing and filling out the two halves to ensure a good join. This is essential since joins show surprisingly clearly through subsequent layers of paint if one is not careful.
  
  
• Removing the moulded-on solebars
  The Triang coaches come with the solebars (ie the "frames" beneath the coach body) moulded on to the main body. It is tempting to retain them as a basis for the Ratio chassis, but measuring indicated that they are slightly (about 1mm) too close together to allow free running of the axles. I therefore decided to saw off the moulded solebars. This is a slightly tricky operation which in my case resulted in some slight damage to the lower part of the body. Note that the buffer-beams also had to be cut off and then refitted to allow this operation.
  
  
• Building the Ratio underframe
  The Ratio underframe was then built up as per the instructions. Following this, I immediately cut the chassis in half to allow for "cutting and shutting". This crude and ruthless operation on your nice new underframe essentially involves shortening the chassis to the correct length by removing a few mms from the center of the underframe (diagonally). The exact length to be removed depends on whether one is using the long or short version of the chassis. The two halves of the underframe were then rejoined and reinforced with Plastikard (invisible once fitted to the body). Final chassis details, wheels and buffers were then fitted, and the chassis mounted to the body.
  
  
• Roof and interior
  The Ratio roof was cut diagonally in two halves and shortened in the same manner as the chassis. The curve of the roof does not exactly fit that of the coach ends, so I carefully bent the roof to shape, and added a small strip of Plastikard to the underside of the roof to further overcome this problem. Inside the coach I added a simple dividing wall made from Plastikard sheet, in order to darken down the interior of the coach (which, I feel, often provides for a more realistic appearance).