I've been collecting NZR loco kitsets like they're going out of fashion. Despite struggling to get my Wa running (Link) I knew that when it eventually did run, I'd need to have something for it to do. So, I pulled out one of the rolling stock kits I'd also be studiously collecting.

It looked like the S wagon was made from two, four-wheel sheep wagons, plonked on a bogie frame. The frame itself was easy enough to make. I didn't add extra detail like brakes, I just wanted to get it on the rails and running.

The slat sides of the sheep-carrying bits went together okay, after being subject to a lot of cleanup. I used a file, followed by a #11 scalpel to scrape flash off the edges of all the slats, and scribe planking a bit more deeply to sharpen up the detail.

I had first used low-melt solder on a Q coal wagon and used it again on this kit. Once I'd gotten the hang of it, low-melt solder was faster to use than five-minute epoxy, and easier to work. I just scratched the castings so they were bright, and then use a reasonable amount of flux. I need to talk to a pro about the best flux to use, next time. I have a nice paste flux that's great for brass, but I don't think it's aggressive enough for white metal.

The low-melt solder also made adding the brass wire that simulates the upper cage, much neater and easier than epoxy.

The only thing that caught me out with the kit, was due to shrinkage (I suppose) the two boxes were not quite accurate in size and were a little twisted. I have another of these kits. When I'm building it, I'll make a jig for the sides so that the sides and ends are all the same size, as well as square.

The sheep boxes were double-decked, but the simple styrene sheets supplied for the floor seemed a bit basic. I used distressed, scribed styrene instead, and added a framework underneath it. I had a good look online, but couldn't quite tell how it all went together in the real world. I think double 2x4 wooden joists were added across the width of the wagon, with planking on top of that, and smaller slats to add a foothold. Couldn't have all those delicious sheep sliding around uncomfortably, while they took their final trip onwards to the dinner table.

I added the roof slats, door handles and grab-handles to finish the build, then washed the model to get rid of grease and flux. I should have used some sort of degreaser, because there was residue from the flux that bled through the paint afterwards. I just tell myself it's extra weathering.

Painting was an involved process. In order to reach everywhere inside with the spray, I had to make each box in two halves (one side and one end), then glue them together. I pre-painted the styrene top slats and glued them last, after painting and weathering the decks. Because I had yet to learn the joys of oil pin-washes, I used Vallejo's acrylic wash. It dries too fast and doesn't build up the detail as well as oil washes do. I'm sure other modellers could do a better job if it. A bit of dry-brushing, some chalk weathering, a final touch-up and I was done.

When I'm back in New Zealand, I'll find a prototype and have a look at how the deck was built, to see how wrong I got it. The roof slats supplied, were in styrene, and a pain to glue to the castings. Next time I'll use wood. I'll also get some decals made. They always seem to finish things nicely.

Maybe I'll add some sheep, as well.

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