Wworsley Works NG
Modern Ffestiniog Railway Coach Nos 119/120 Peco-UK Web Site

Worsley Works NG

Ffestiniog Coach List
August 2002
Ffestiniog Railway modern coach body kits in 4mm scale

Worsley Works has recently added a number of modern Ffestiniog Railway coaches to its range of 'scratch aid' etched brass body kits in 4mm scale. These are all-steel vehicles with semi-stressed skins and centre spine under-frames.

Now available are: 36' long Third Saloon No.110, built in 1975, originally numbered 30 and fitted with driving controls for diesel-powered shuttle trains; Third Saloon Nos.117/118, built in 1977 on ex-Isle of Man 34' 2" under-frames; Third Saloon with toilet Nos.119/120, built in 1980 on 34' 2" ex- IoM underframes (illustrated); and Third Saloon No.121 with 'Beclawat' horizontal sliding light windows, built in 1981 on an ex-IoM 34'2 " underframe.

The kit consists of sides, ends, and floor unit with separate solebars and end beams, plus body mounting brackets, but does not include the glazing or any interior detail, and there are no 'solid' details as castings. The builder must also supply wire for handrails and door handles, though the fixing holes are present. The roof also has to be provided: the prototypes have domed ends, and shaping from a wooden block might be a good method: a resin casting would have been ideal.

The intention is that the roof should be fixed and the floor (with interior detail if required) removable.

The components have been very nicely etched - the panelling is well defined and the halt-etched areas very even, with neat details such as the louvre grilles. The cantrail is very fine, and the ribs projecting below the bottom of the side panel are a nice touch. Because so much has been half etched to get the raised panel and window frame effect, the sides are quite thin and tend to bow outwards, so some form of cross support in the centre might be desirable.

The doors are separate, in order to represent the recessed panels, and it is best to follow the recommendation in the instructions and fix these to the sides before detaching the latter from the fret, as the surround is thin and fragile. With care and some small modifications, the doors could be modelled open if required.

The sides and ends are separate, with no form of location, but they can be soldered together accurately it care is taken, standing them on a true flat surface. It is worth reinforcing the corners with a fillet of solder; though take care not to impede the fitting of the floor unit. The ends have vertical lines half etched on the inside between the windows, but these are not fold guides. The solebars have rivets half etched which have to be pressed out from the rear, and footsteps under the doors which are folded out. Care should be taken when positioning the end beams, upon which the coach ends rest, so that the bottom of the doors is aligned correctly with the floor.

A standard set of coach kit assembly instructions is included, and some allowances must be made to match these to the parts actually supplied. The procedure assumes - not unreasonably for something that is sold as an aid to scratchbuilding rather than a complete kit - that the builder will be familiar with the techniques required. It also presumes the builder will have access to drawings and photos to complete the detailing as appropriate.

Worsley Works now has a range of over 50 narrow gauge coach kits in 4mm scale alone, plus other items in 3mm, 5.5mm, and 7mm scales, plus various related accessories. 5Op (in stamps) plus an AS stamped self-addressed envelope will bring you a copy of the latest list.

For 4mm scale narrow gauge

MANUFACTURED BY

Allen Doherty
19 Douglas Road,
Worsley
M28 2SR.