En-guard!

Having used the 6-wheel Z van underframes for the X/Y carriages, I was left to find a purpose for several spare Z van bodies.  The solution: 34ZH.  A shortened version of the iconic van, only four of these were ever made, and each was fitted with a booking office.  After use on the metropolitan system, 34ZH finished life as part of the Ballarat breakdown train from 1911 until 1956.

To make the van I have shortened the Z van sides to fit a Steam Era 10'6 underframe and added the booking office windows on both sides.  The usual details (screw link couplings, SEM buffers, Model Etch vacuum hoses) have been added, as well as the corrugated 2nd roof layer so widely used on VR during the earlier part of the 20th century.

Rolling Stock Updates

Whilst we await further layout space in the developing attic, progress continues with rolling stock construction.  Currently underway in the workshops is 54X, the final of 3 pre 1900 style 6 wheel passenger carriages.  A photo of the constructed (but unpainted and unglazed) carriage:

And now a photo of finished model 212Y:

Both models are made from a Steam and Things etched brass fret (ends and sides only), Steam Era 6-wheel Z van underframe (with altered brake configuration) and brass buffers, and Model Etch vacuum hoses.  The roof is scratchbuilt from styrene and Smith's screw link couplers fitted.  As with all my rolling the stock the painted model has been lightly weathered for artistic effect.