Midland Parcels Van Diagram 420 (OG03)

This coachbuilder pack contains a set of parts to aid the construction of a Midland Railway Parcels Van in O gauge / 7mm scale standard gauge. This model is based on the Diagram 420 4-wheel vans, constructed around 1885, and believed to have survived into grouping with the LMS in 1923. My interest in this prototype came about when looking for a suitable vehicle for light railway operations that could run in a plausible mixed train formation. Such a vehicle would have been purchased second hand for the purpose of conveying small consignments of local produce and goods that would not justify assigning a whole wagon.
 
My Coachbuilder packs offer the modeller something between scratch building and kit building. The aim being to provide a basic kit of parts that give the builder a good head start. If you enjoy building your own rolling stock, don’t mind a bit of work and maybe have a good spares box, a Coachbuilder pack should be quicker than scratch building and an economical alternative to the conventional complete kits. The detailed cast resin parts assemble easily with superglue or general-purpose adhesive. The basic model can then be detailed by the builder according to their preferences. The photographs show the parts included in this pack, together with some images of a built example that has had some further detailing in the form of scratch-built steps and end handrails together with commercially available door handles, buffers and couplings.