Loco coal wagon

[Michael Osborne]

Mike,

I wrote to Jim Richards several times inquiring abouts some wagons many years ago and received back some photographs from his collection.
After more letters Jim asked me to build a private owner wagon for him. He wanted a particular wagon of a 12 ton coal wagon from one of the town's along the North Wales coast. I was building some similar wagons for myself but only 10 tons and offered one to him.
I had a letter back with a sharp reprimand refusing my offer. It had to be 12 tons or nothing. I still have a bunch of his letters ( with his hard to read writing ) somewhere.

 

[Mike W]

Sounds about right. He used to send frequent letters, often with a picture, some notes or a spare part from a model he was making. On one occasion he sent a crank axle - he was making a batch and thought I might use it. As a youngster and never having built a model engine from metal before this was a bit daunting, but eventually I did build an 0-8-0 around the axle!

 

[Michael Osborne]

Thanks to Mike Williams I now have nearly finished my second loco coal wagon only requiring painting.
I am pleased that having purchased Vol 3 of LNWR wagons I did get all the details correct.

 

[Michael Osborne]

I painted the second loco coal wagon this morning ( the joys of retirement ) There is still the interior to paint and the axleboxes and springs to fit. Looking at my wagons that I have built over the last 18 months very few have tare weights or other small lettering. I will have to find some small letters or improve my sign writing.