Description
This model is based on the steel third class coaches ordered in 1967 by Indian Railway’s Northern Frontier division for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The new coaches were designed in Gorakhpur (north eastern division) and built by Perambur Coach Factory in south India. The Third-Class carriages were numbered 69 through to 103. but were reclassified as second class in the late 1970’s These vehicles were the back bone of the carriage fleet for 20 years, their life being extended into the 1990’s when some were rebuilt with taller windows.
This kit features:
Laser Cut Bodywork
The coach body is cut from 3 mm thick MDF sheet. This is easy to paint as there is no wood grain to disguise. The body ends also feature rows of pilot holes for easy location of the brake lever and safety chain hooks..
Pre Formed Roof
The roof comes in three 3D printed sections that glue onto the top of the four walls. Our coach kit accurately captures the characteristic “elliptical” roof cross section, that is so hard to produce with laser cutting techniques. The model has been designed so the body and roof are one rigid structure that drops down and bolts onto the floor so there is no annoying gap between walls and roof but it is still possible to get to the interior for maintenance.
Seating Included
Our DHR Third class coach kit includes full seating. The floor includes correctly located sockets for the seat legs to aid the modeler getting the seat locations correct.
Window Bars
These coaches were delivered with distinctive window bars, presumably specified by Indian Railways to try and deter ticket-less travel. However photo’s from the 1970’s usually show young boy’s hanging onto these bars, hitching a free ride on the outside of the train. Most of these bars were removed by 1980 ! The kit includes these bars but the modeler can omit them if desired.
Choise of Couplings
The distinctive elliptical steel center buffers are reproduced in robust nylon together with no less than three choices of coupling arrangement. Prototypical swing link and pin; drop link and hook and simple hook and chain.
3D Printed Sintered Brake Gear
The distinctive end brake lever, brake-man’s handle and foot rest are 3D printed in a tough black nylon and locates accurately in pre “drilled” holes in the body end
3D Printed Sintered Nylon Bogies
A pair of 3D printed, one piece bogies are provided . These provide a very square, free running bogie. The slight springiness of the engineering grade nylon provides the model with excellent road holding characteristics. They come pre-coloured in a “carbon black” finish which looks attractive without needing any further painting.
Quality Steel Wheels
Four pairs of 24 mm steel disc wheels are provided (i.e. four axles). These are precision CNC machined with 2mm journals and have insulated bushes in case you use track power.
Available in both 32mm and 45mm track gauges.
DHR 3rd Class Coach Assembly Instructions
Paint and glue are not included
