M cattle wagons

Recently I received some Steam Era Models M wagons from my dads dismantled layout. Some of the wagons needed minor repairs such as replacing missing shunters steps, couplers or brake gear. These wagons have had there paintwork touched up and then had new decals added before weathering. 

For such a large class of wagons there were very few variations in the M cattle wagons. I have tried to include some of the variations in the placement of wagon code and number in these wagons.

M 822 at Dandenong in 1978. This is from the final design group numbered M 780 - 879 which had the arch area at the top of the end filled in.

I have also added cattle to one which has a loose roof. This wagon has modified ends to reflect that applied to M 780 - 879 which had the arch area at the top of the end filled in. 

M829 with modified end reflecting the last batch of M cattle wagons built.

I have also modified two of the M wagons with an additional vertical bracing on the second panel from the right. This modification appears to have only been applied to the lower numbered M wagons, numbered below 150.

M 140 at at Tottenham. June 1982 (photo courtesy Rob O'Regan). This wagon shows the additional bracing on the second panel from the right. 

M74 and M140 both showing the additional vertical bracing on the second panel from the right end.

These wagons will be used between my Boolite and Ballarat layouts. On the Boolite layout the M wagons will deliver cattle to the Northern Meats Abattoir. On the Ballarat layout they will be used to service the sale yards on the Ballarat Cattleyards branchline.

M441 had the wagon number on one plank higher than the standard position. 

The completed M wagons stored in Ballarat yard.