Parkside PC87 4mm scale Cattle Wagon kit
LMS Dia 1661 £9.00

The Parkside kit represents Diagram 1661, an unfitted cattle wagon. The LMS built 2,050 of these wagons between 1923 and 1926. They lasted in use until the early 1960’s. The kit is supplied with Romford OO 3 hole disc wheels and brass hat bearings. Parkside on request will supply kits with Alan Gibson wheels in OO, EM or P4 at a small extra cost. Also included in the kit are coupling mounts compatible with contemporary Hornby and Bachmann tension lock couplings. Straight brass wire is included for railings and plastic microstrip for wagon side battens.

The kit is a straightforward build and can be completed within an evening. The main body is a simple box construction, all components fitting accurately and no filling or modifications required. All mouldings are clean and flash free. There are similarities with the O gauge range in the chassis construction, where the guard irons and axleboxes are separate from the solebar. However these presented no problems in assembly and the chassis builds up square and true. With the axleguards being separate the option for fitting suspension for those modellers working in the finer 4mm gauges will be easier. Brake gear is ‘independent’ on this diagram so take care when assembling this section of the kit, however the instructions give appropriate guidance here, and for all other sections of the build. Images show underneath the drop door there is a bumper strip affixed to the solebar. This is not included in the kit, but on the buffer sprue there are bumper strips for a mineral wagon which could be easily adapted.
The most involved sections of the kit are the sides, including bars for the open section. Straight wire is included to be cut to length and there are marked fixing points for them. For this review the bars were held in place with superglue, with extra work they could be fixed with drilled holes and right angle bends at the bar ends. The sides of the wagons have a diagonal strap which is supplied as thin microstrip. In the images I have for the prototype, the top corners of these fix on to a square block which does not appear on this kit, though if required could be easily made from plasticard section. The diagonal section is provided for using microstrip, however my wagons get handled frequently and this microstrip was replaced with phosphor bronze strip for extra strength. The roof fits accurately and the partition section for the inside of the wagon needs to be fitted prior to fitting the roof. No strapping is provided for the roof detailing however the section not used for the side diagonal will be suitable for this task. The roofs on images show a variety of strapping placements and number of straps, I copied one version with four straps as can be seen on the review image/s.

Painting and livery details cover LMS and BR/MR unfitted wagons and no transfers are supplied. Overall a very easy and accurate kit to build, its well worth considering if your era covers 1920 through to the 1960’s. Whilst the kit represents a fitted version, it will make the basis of through piped, and fitted versions, giving access to further variants of the LMS cattle wagon fleet if the modeller so desires.