AUSTRALIAN MODEL RAILWAY BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES and ACCESSORIES

SECTION 8

ZL 4 wheel Brake Van - smooth sided. 


 Check all parts are present - you should have


2 sides,

2 ends

1 cupola end.

1 steel etch panel.


Instructions


These instructions are suitable for both the buffer and non buffer versions of the 4 wheel ZL Van. The modeller requires a Steam Era Models  (SEM) Z Van kit. The modeller also requires knowledge how the SEM kit is assembled. 


The are some assemlby pix on the Section 8 model Railway Facebook page. Its is worth a visit.


The undercarriage of the SEM kit is modified from a 6 wheel unit to a 4 wheel unit. The Australian Model Railway Magazine published an excellent article in their December 2000 edition. Utilise these instruction and adopt as much detail in the undercarriage as you see fit. I suggest a minimum of axle assembly removal for the middle wheel pair. Also the removal and repositioning of the step supports.


Prepare the ABS plastic walls for gluing. The engravings should be cleaned of any unwanted plastic residue and flashing. Spend some time with this process. I recommend the use of tetra glue for all ABS plastic gluing. The walls and ends are glued together to form a box. The ends sit over the walls. Therefore the width of the Van is the width of the ends. I use the roof of each part for alignment. Fit and glue the cupola roof keeping enough clearance for the roof. If the modeller desires now is a good time to fit some plastic square plastic tube, or similar, on the inside corners of the box for support. Also I recommend placing some plastic bracing across the inside the body of the van for anchoring the undercarriage and coupling onto. A photo of this internal bracing for the undercarriage and coupling is on page 34 of the above mentioned article. That should take care of the walls etc.


Study the external engraving on the van body. You will find small engravings (approx 3mm) both horizontal and vertical. There are also small holes. This is the area where the modeller is expected to know or learn where the etched parts should be placed. This is easily done either by photographs or SEM instructions. Basically the vertical lines are for the lamp holders and the horizontal lines are for the tail disk and steps. All etch parts are to be glued using super glue. On the etch panel the tail disks and steps are easily identified. The steps require folding 90 degrees on the fold line. The lamp holders are the thin strips (approx 0.8 x 7 mm) These are folded into a Z or dogleg shape. The widest end is the part that is glued to the van body. When satisfied glue etched parts into position. The holes are for the etched handrails. Each handrail has its own place on the model. With care identify where each handrail is positioned. The handrails on the each end of the Van that extend to the edge of the van require trimming. The hole provided is blocked by the adjacent wall. Trim approximately 1mm and test. When satisfied glue all handrails into position   Also provided on the etch panel are some small hand rails. These are for the hand rails on the roof etc. of the Van. Only use If the modeller wishes to removed the handrail provisions on the SEM kit and replace them. On the etch panel there are also very small rectangle shapes with tiny holes. These are the handrail plates. I have not used them on my display models and find them too difficult to use. They should only be attempted by the most fastidious modeller. Replacements are usually available if required.  


Paint.


Attach roof and cupola roof.


Attach undercarriage.


Done.