Monday, 23 June 2025

Plateway Models - Hand Crane & Wagon

HLR needed a mobile crane for the  Maintenance Dept., so Plateway Models were recruited to provide.

As it required to be mobile, a basic wagon from their fleet was sourced and built accordingly.

Following the instructions carefully the parts for the crane were assembled and tested 'dry'.

Instead of utilising the string/rope provided, a small link chain was used. This added weight and strength to it's lifting power.

Fifteen pennies were added to the counterweight box before it was sealed. This provided weight and balance to the jib.

A part from the wagon floor, all parts were primed Humbrol Grey (1). Final coats for handles Humbrol Bright Red (19), jib ends Humbrol Black (21) and wagon plates and buffer beams Humbrol Black (33).



A coat of Coach & Wagon Satin varnish was then applied to the wagon's body and crane.

Decals were applied before a final coat of the above varnish.

To add more stability and weight, leaded weights were adhered to the underneath of the wagon. 



A large fishing lead sinker was fitted to the chain just above the hook. Again this added weight and aided it's operation.



Monday, 6 January 2025

The Works wagon

Found at a 'The Works' outlet, was this small desk tidy box or as I saw it, the beginnings of a rake of neat little wagons.

It just needs a chassis, made from pieces of 25mm x4 mm pine softwood.

  • 2 of 87mm with two corners cut to 45 degrees
  • 2 of 118mm x (1 piece cut in halve lengthways)


  • Wheel sets 24mm dia. (45mm)*
  • Axles incl. bearings (4)*
  • Roundhouse buffers (2)*
* Available from IP Engineering.

The axles were fitted to the two long pieces (10mm from each end) using M3 x 6mm pan-head self-tapping screws. A 3mm hole was drilled into the centre of each buffer beam for each buffer.


What could be simpler?