After dismantling the coach the conversion was started by removing the glazing and sawing through alternate window frames to create two large windows each side of the passenger compartment instead of the original four small ones. These, together with the toilet compartment window were then framed out with 2.0 x 1.5mm plasticard strip to give a more British appearance.
The sliding doors to the luggage (baggage) compartment were discarded and replaced with new ones made from 2.5mm plasticard sheet. The windows were cut out and framed to match the body of the coach. The doors were scribed to match the planking of the coach body. The handrails came from the spares box and originated from the balcony end of a LGB Toytrain high sided open wagon.
The windows each side of the luggage compartment were covered over with guards duckets scratch built from plasticard sheet. Thin platicard boards were glued to the coach sides to take the lettering and numbering.
The original balcony railings were cut off and replaced with whitemetal castings from GRS. I purchased three sets of these castings many years ago with the intention of ultimately using them on all of the Jackson Sharp conversions, the two all third coaches (Nos 6 & 7) and the two brake/thirds (Nos 8 & 9). The kits contain sufficient railing sections to include balcony gates as fitted to Coach No6. Unfortunately GRS has discontinued this item so I was not able to purchase a fourth set. As a result, I have had to modify the remaining balconies to do away with gates. The castings are wrapped overall with a brass wire handrail. The cast railings were fitted with a plasticard boards to which were attached GRS etched brass lamp irons.
The wire handrails fitted to the coach body appeared too low when compared to the new balcony railings. These were removed, reshaped and refitted to make them roughly the same height as the new handrail.
The other modifications to the balcony ends are the addition of centre buffers and vacuum brake pipes. These items are also LGB Toytrain items salvaged when creating the coaches made by joining two Toytrain 4-wheel items together back to back.
The roof of the coach was fitted out with GRS lamp tops and ventilators together with brass wire/plasticard rod for conduits.
The bogies (trucks) have been re-wheeled with Al Kramer bright nickel plated solid brass wheels imported from the US. These wheels are standard fitting to all Claptowte Railway stock. They are super heavy and provide a low centre of gravity for stable running.
The coach seats have been modified to provide a more open and spacious interior. The side boards just pull off and the holes are filled with plastic rod. The seat backs have been sawn through and the back boards removed. The upholstered portions are then re-glued to provide lower and better proportioned seat backs.
That completes the structural alterations, now it is into the paint shop to complete the makeover. I hope it will not be too long until I can post some photos of the completed painted, glazed and lettered coach.
David
