Three Peaks Models L&Y Diagram 3 Covered Goods Wagon Instruction Manual
- June 2, 2024
- Three Peaks Models
Table of Contents
www.threepeaksmodels.co.uk
L &Y Diagram 3 Covered Goods
Kit contents
Wagon Chassis
Wagon Base and Ends
Wagon Top and Sides
2x NEM Coupler Pockets
2x Coupler Heads (N only)
General Notes
Keep the parts of the model out of direct sunlight while unpainted. The resin
used for the body and chassis in particular is susceptible to UV degradation
and will become brittle.
Cyanoacrylate superglue works well to attach parts. Plastic glues will not
work on these models.
Assembly instructions
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Neaten body and chassis if required
The production process for the shell can leave a number of small lumps or spots on the model.
While we do are best to neaten the model before packaging, some maybe missed. As such the model may need some gentle sanding with fine sand paper or a fine file to remove the lumps. A craft knife can also be used to trim parts.
Light sanding at the interfaces between the parts can help to improve the fit.
Be mindful of some of the delicate details around the buffers and brake rigging – make sure not to use these to hold or support the model. -
Attach the two body parts
The two wagon body parts slot together, with a slot and peg to secure them. Some fine sanding may be required to get a perfect fit, usually around the bottom interface and at the top of the wagon ends. The end faces should sit back flush against the interior bracing once assembled.
If you wish to add weight to the wagon, insert it into the hollow space in the top part. Once you are happy with the fit, glue these parts together. -
Attach body and chassis
As with the two body parts, the body and chassis fit together with a peg and slot system. The brake lever faces to the right on the canvas flap side. With a right-hand brake chassis, the Morton brake hanger (the larger, curved one) is also on the canvas flap side. -
Decorate
The model can be painted with standard modelling acrylics. We recommend spraying the model parts with a primer before painting. Detailed livery suggestions are given on subsequent pages.
Transfers will need to be sourced separately.
Avoid getting paint into the axle bearing slots, as this will prevent wheels running freely. -
Attach couplers (optional)
The model is supplied with standard NEM coupler pockets. The exact types provided are:
OO scale – NEM 362 coupler pockets, accepting NEM 362 couplers, which have two prongs at the rear that slot in to the pocket.
N scale – NEM 355 coupler pockets, accepting the widely used NEM 356/357 “Rapido” style couplers, which are provided with the kit.
The coupler pockets attach to the underside of the wagon, slotting around the central chassis beam. The pocket should be pushed up against the end of the wagon. The top of the pocket piece can be sanded if it does not sit flat, or sits too far down.
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Insert axles (not supplied)
The kits accept standard pinpoint axles, 14.3mm point to point in N, and 26mm in OO. Axles of these dimensions are also available for EM and P4 scales. These wagons were fitted with 8-spoke wheels with a 950mm diameter, equivalent to 6.4mm dia. in N and 12.5mm dia. in OO.
The axleboxes should be gently pulled apart to slot axles in. Excessive force may result in damage.
If there is some resistance to the axle’s rotation, apply gentle pressure to the axleboxes and rotate the axle back and forth. Be careful not to damage the brake rigging while doing this.
Historical notes
The L&Y’s diagram 3 wagons were the standard design of “covered goods” wagon
or van between the late 1870s and 1904. The majority of covered goods wagons
were built in the last decade of that period as these wagons gained
popularity. The LMS received approximately 3,500 diagram 3 wagons at the
grouping, accounting for 1% of its wagon fleet.
This model is based on drawing 3466, with 2,330 wagons being built to this
design between 1897 and 1904. The model can also represent the 570 wagons
built to drawing 3003 between 1894 and 1896, which differed only in terms of
the drawbar arrangements. Earlier designs under diagram 3 featured a slightly
lower roof profile, with approximately 1,100 being built to that design.
While a number survived into LMS use, the majority had been scrapped by the
1930s, due to the availability of larger, more modern wagons built by the L&Y
and LMS. However, a few wagons survived as private owner wagons until the
1970s, particularly with chocolate manufacturers such as Cadbury’s. One
example can be found preserved at the Chasewater Railway.
Most wagons were built with same-end brakes; only the final order 50 were
built with right-hand brakes. However, some were later retrofitted, and a
handful were modified with vacuum brakes.
Further details and many photographs can be found in Lancashire and Yorkshire
Wagons, Volumes 1 and 2, N. Coates, Wild Swan Publications. Volume 1 contains
details on liveries and lettering for L&Y wagons. Volume 2 contains a
comprehensive section on covered goods wagons.
Liveries and lettering
These L&Y wagons survived through to LMS ownership, and can therefore be
painted in liveries appropriate to both companies. Known wagon numbers range
from 3814 to 30846. Many diagram 3 wagons were in the upper end of this range,
from 23000 upwards. The LMS incremented numbers by 130,000, and so L&Y 29863
would become LMS 159863. Tare weights ranged from 6 . 0 . 1 to 6 . 4 . 1,
expressed as “
The notes below describe the standards for new wagons, but existing wagons
were only repainted in a piecemeal fashion. L&Y liveries existed until at
least 1928.
L &Y – ca. 1870s to 1902/3
It is believed that the woodwork on L&Y wagons was left unpainted. All
ironwork on the body was painted black. Markings on the wagon consisted of
only:
- The company’s illiterate symbol, an equilateral triangle inside a circle. Two symbols on each side of the wagon, painted in white.
- A 15” x 6 ¾” number plate on the solebar, consisting of three lines of text, reading “Lancashire & /
/ Yorkshire Ry”.
From ca. 1892, the tare weight was added, e.g. “6 . 0 . 1”, painted in white
on the solebar.
L &Y – 1902/03 onwards
Dark grey was adopted in 1902 for both the woodwork and ironwork, and black
for ironwork below the solebar. The shade of grey used was lighter at later
dates.
Large “L Y” initials replaced the illiterate symbol in 1903, painted in white
on planks 4, 5 and 6 (counting from the bottom) between the diagonal bracing
and the doors.
Wagon numbers were also added, on the highest full plank on each side. On the
ends, the number was between the end stanchions, on the third plank down (one
plank above the side number).
LMS – pre 1936
LMS livery was similar to the L&Y livery, with grey bodywork and black for
the underframe. Lettering was typically as follows, all in white paint:
- The initials “LMS”, in painted across the wagon doors, on planks 5 and 6 (counting from the bottom).
- The wagon number painted on the left hand side of the body, and a new LMS-style number plate on the solebar. Numbers were now omitted from the wagon ends.
- Tare weight in the same style as the L&Y, moved up to the body.
Example liveries. Lettering and labelling were highly variable.