Only 14 E wagons survived long enough to receive the four letter code of VOAA in 1979. The wagons recoded were 9, 11, 18, 46, 55, 84, 97, 112, 121, 123, 170, 174, 191, 193, 201. All other E wagons had been scrapped or converted for departmental use. Needing additional open wagons on the rollingstock roster I decided to build a model of one of the survivors.
VOAA123 was built at Newport Workshops entering service as E123 on the 3rd May 1928. Unlike many other members of the class E123 wasn't converted to an S flat wagon during World War II continuing to operate as an open wagon. In 1969 it was rebuilt with new HY style sides and ends. In 1975 it was noted running on bar frame bogies. In 1979 with the adoption of 4 letter wagon codes it was recoded to VOAA 123. In 1982 it was photographed running without a VR logo.
VOAA123 is kitbashed out of 2 Steam Era Models GY kits with a new floor out of 60thou styrene sheet. Its a relatively straightforward built, two sides are joined together and then styrene strips are added to the bottom of the doors and sides to create the sidesills. Either styrene channel or strip is used to make the center brace. The underframe centre sill and bracing and the bogie bolster are made from styrene sheet. The wagon is then fitted with Steam Era Models shunters steps and bogies.
Another VOAA is underconstruction and will hopefully be finished in the next week or two.
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