BBV Guard's Van

Over a nine-year period, no fewer than 80 BBV class Guard’s Vans were build and entered service between 1952 and 1961. The vans were the most numerous of the wooden vans and the last wooden van to enter service. The vans were 32 ft. long and to the eye they all looked the same. Two small passenger compartments that carried 10 - 2^nd class passengers each. The other end was open to carry goods and parcels with a dog box down one end, and the usual Guard’s lookout and equipment was near the centre next to the passenger compartment. When built the vans were allocated to a division similar to steam locomotives at the time. These locomotives worked mainly between depots within the division due to coal capacity. The Guard’s Van remained on the train until reaching the trains’ destination, working through a number of depots. At the time most goods trains started and finished within the division.  Some the vans were modified for mineral and coal traffic, most remained in service to the late 1980’s, early 1990’s being replaced by Two Driver Operations (TDO) when Guards Vans were removed from trains.   

The vans were built in three batches. Lets’ look at the history cards which will give a better understanding of changes during their service and areas of operation. This could be helpful when modelling an era or a location. 

Batch #1. Vans 1542 – 1561.

The vans entered service as Goods with 2^nd class passenger accommodation (BGV class).  

Bogies – Angle Iron, plain bearings.

Guards compartment fitted with wash basin and 7¾ gal water tank.

Wooden Lookouts.

Classified BBV in 1953.

Grab handles etc, provided for Guard to reach end of van in 1958.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1542	Mar 1952	SED	July 1989  (SD)
Apr 1971 Converted to Periscope Van Ipswich W’shops. QR 17 A bogies. Toilet & washbasin in Guards compartment, 50 galls tank, two gas cylinders fitted. Fans fitted Dec 79.

Plans indicate the rear window was added when the gas cylinders and cooking ring was relocated.  

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1543	Mar 1952	CD	Jun 1989 (ND)
May 1970. Fitted with folding writing shelves Mar 1973. Fans fitted. Aug 1975 Fitted with gas heater and cooking ring Aug 75.

The class “BBV” above the number was added in later years on some vans, 1970 onwards

 This van shows on the lookout to be used on the Brisbane Valley only.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1544	May 1952	CD	Jun 89 (Twba)
Nov 1972. Test paint Dulux. Fans fitted.  Jul 75 derailed Sarina. May 78 Fitted with gas heater and cooking ring.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1545	May 1952	ND	Jan 89 (Ips)
Jun 86. Derailed Wyreema.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1546	May 1952	ND	Oct 78 (CD)
May 75. Fans installed. Oct 75. Derailed Sarina

This van has the “second” on the doors.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1547	May 1952	SWD	Service 11/88.
Sep 75. Derailed Maryborough District. Jul 77. Derailed Northern Division. Nov. 86. Derailed Mt Surprise – Einasleigh Section. Part of the Mary Valley Rattler fleet.

Mary Valley Railway

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1548	May 1952	SWD	Feb 1989 (CD)
Oct 80. Fitted with gas. Sep 83. Self contained buffers fitted one end.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1549	Jun 1952	Corner missing	Dec 86 (Ips)
Nov 76. Collision FJS 28070 Carmila.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1550	Jun 1952	Corner missing	Mar 90 (Ips)
Mar 67. Damage Goondiwindi Area. Jan 75. Derailed Bluff. Feb 83. Toilet Instilled.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1551	Jul 1952	Corner missing	Feb 90 (Twba)

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1552	Aug 1952	CD	Jul 89 (Twba)
Nov 80. Fitted with gas.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1553	Aug 1953	ND	Oct 89 (Ips)
Mar 81. Gas fitted. Sold – Laidley.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1554	Sep 1952	ND	Jun 89 (Twba)
Jun 80. Gas fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1555	Sep 1952	SED	Aug 89 (Ips)
Aug 79 Gas Installed. Nov 83 Toilet installed. Self-contained buffers fitted one end.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1556	Oct 1952	Corner missing	Oct 89 (Ips)
Dec 89. Gas Installed. Aug 89. Sold Caboolture.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1557	Oct 1952	SWD	Mar 90 (Ips)
Sep 81. Toilet & Gas installed.

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1558	Oct 1952	SWD	Jul 89 (Ips)
Nov 77. Derailed Oorindi Mar 80. Gas fitted. May 86. Derailed Dutton Park.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1559	Nov 1952	CD	Jun 89 (Twba)
Nov 73. Electric fan fitted. Apr 77. Derailed Kingaroy – Wooroolin section. Feb 80. Fitted with gas. Feb 87. Standard Guards lookout fitted. QR packed bearings fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1560	Dec 1952	ND	Jul 89 (Ips)
Oct 70. Converted to Periscope Van. National Indust bogies. Auto couplers etc. Jun 78. Gas fitted.

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1561	Dec 1952	SWD	Oct 88 (Ips)
Oct 74. Overhauled R’ton May 81 Gas installed.

Batch # 2 1582 – 1631.

Underframe & Bogies Com-Eng. Body made and fitted Ipswich Shops.

Bogies QR 1. (Plain Bearings)

Washbasin & Toilet in Guards Compartment. 50 gall water tank in roof.

Steel Lookouts.

C.S.S.C. Buffers. 

Grab handles etc. provided for Guard to reach end of van 1958.

Stops welded inside axle boxes and lugs on lids Aug 1958.

Bolster and Snubber springs modified 1969. 

Periscope Van modifications. (as per 1585).

Roof periscope type lookout, Underframe reinforced and ballasted Tare 24 T (only vans 1585, 1597 1599).  Ascending steps and roof handrails. BK heavy duty draft gear BK (Same as VAO contract). Dog box removed and 2 x 20 lb gas cylinders positioned with one single burner gas ring on a stainless shelf with stainless steel splash back. (Insulated with ¾” fibre glass). Protective padded shield built around hand brake column and wheel fitted in lieu of crank bar to operated handbrake. Walls of van covered in 4” and 2” plastic foam trimmed PVC protection of Guard.    

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1582	Nov 1955	SED	Jan 89 (Tve)
Jan 69 Rockhampton. Bolster and Snubber springs modified

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1583	Nov 1955	CD	Feb 90 (Twba)
Mar 73. Fitted with “Ritter” Fans Jul 75. Collision with van 1544 Sarina. Jun 80. Gas fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1584	Nov 1955	ND	Oct 88 (ND)
Jul 68. Fitted with Auto couplers, Periscope fitted. Oct 69. Guard’s lookout repositioned. Aug 83. Gas re-located.

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1585	Dec 1955	SWD	Jan 89 (Ips)
Jan 57. Derailed Murphy Creek. Mar 58. Handrail, step boards, etc. fitted. Dec 67. Modified to Periscope Van. Jan 68. Bolster & snubber springs modified. Auto couplers fitted. Oct 70. Fitted with 8” Davis & Metcalf triple vale.   Apr 76. Derailed Emmet. Feb 77. Derailed Moura.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1586	Dec 1955	SED	Aug 89 (Gympie)
May 81. Fitted with gas.

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1587	Dec 1955	CD	Jul 89 (Ips)
Apr 77. Fitted with gas.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1588	Mar 1956	ND	Mar 89 (R’ton)
Apr 57. Derailed and badly damaged CD. May 87. Derailed Butre ND.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1589	Mar 1956	SWD	May 89 (Ips)
Aug 84. Bogie changed to QR 1 packed bearings.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1590	Mar 1956	SED	Aug 89 (Ips)
Jul 68. Modified to Periscope Van with Auto couplers. Nov 69. Relocated of end wall equipment. Fitted additional padding on end wall. Relocated of gas cylinder recess Jul 79. Derailed Guthalungra. Aug 81 Gas heater fitted. Sep 83. QR 1 package bearings fitted. Dec 84. Sunvisor fitted.

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1591	May 1956	CD	Feb 89 (ND)
Aug 80. Gas fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1592	May 1956	ND	Oct 89 (Ips)
Mar 81. Gas fitted. Jul 86. QR 1 package bearing fitted. Aug 89 Sold – Laidley.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1593	May 1956	SWD	Aug 89 (Ips)
Sep 80. Gas fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1594	Jul 1956	SED	Aug 90 (Ips)
Jun 68. Periscope fitted. Nov 68. Auto couplers fitted

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1595	Jul 1956	CD	Apr 88 (CD)
Jul 66. Fitted auto couplers for Moura Tfc. Jun 78 Derailed Rosewood.

2^nd class was changed to Economy class early 1970’s.

There was no marking for economy class. 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1596	Jul 1956	ND	Jul 89 (ND)
Mar 78 Derailed Thinoomba – Brooweena Sep 79. Gas fitted.  Mar 86. Derailed Muckabilla – Hodgson

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1597	Sep 1956	SWD	Jun 88 (Ips)
Apr 68. Fitted Auto couplers. Periscope fitted. Oct 69. Additional padding , relocation of gas cylinders Sep 72. Derailed Gladstone.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1598	Sep 1956	SED	Jul 89  (Ips)
Feb 70. Converted to periscope van. Mar 86. Sunvisor fitted to periscope.

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1599	Sep 1956	CD	Oct 88 (Ips)
Apr 68. Auto couples, periscope fitted. Jun 69. Underframe reinforced and ballasted to 24 T, snubber springs have been varied to ensure softer riding quantities. .  Dec 81. Heater installed. Jul 84. QR 1 Package bearings fitted. Aug 84. Sunvisor fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1600	Nov 1956	ND	Jan 87 (CD)
Oct 66. Auto couplers fitted. Nov 80. Gas fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1601	Nov 1956	SWD	May 89 (SWD)
Mar 69. Modified to Periscope van. Dec 84. Sunvisor fitted.

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1602	Dec 1956	SED	Aug 85 (Ips)
Sep 80. Gas fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1603	Mar 1957	SWD	Jun89 (ND)
Side handrail are being fitted as standard along with stops in the axle boxes.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1604	Mar 1957	ND	Oct 80 (ND)
23.9.80. Demolished by Shell road tanker Woodstock level X crossing. Guard fatally injured.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1605	Mar 1957	SWD	Jun 89 (M’boro)
Jul 80. Fitted with gas. Nov 84. Fitted with QR 1 package bearing.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1606	May 1957	SED	Aug 91 (Ips)
Jul 79. Fitted with gas.

The division was shown on the end of the van with the number and tare weight.

Spring Bluff, being used by the local Lions club as a kiosk. The van disappeared after the 2011 floods.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1607	May 1957	CD	Aug89 (Ips)
Jan 81. Fitted with gas.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1608	May 1957	ND	Aug 89 (Ips)
Oct 66. Fitted with auto couplers. Apr 80. Bracing brackets, gas fitted. Nov 88. Derailed Forsayth

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1609	Jul 1957	SWD	Jul 89 (SWD)
Feb 76. Derailed Mt Morgan. Jan 82. Fitted with gas. Dec 86. General overall.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1610	Jul 1957	SED	Nov 72 (CD)
Sep 72. Damaged Gladstone beyond repair.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1611	Jul 1957	CD	May 90 (Ips)
Sep 66. Fitted with auto couplers. May 78. Gas fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1612	Sep 1957	ND	Aug 89 (Ips)
Redbank Workshops 12 – 18 Oct 65. Aux. drive gear box. Modification – Telephone box installed. This was also shown for 1613 with other mods relating to locos, was ruled out. ??
Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1613	Sep 1957	SWD	Jun 89 (M’boro)
Nov 69. Modified for Moura Traffic. Periscope fitted. Jul 74. General Overhaul. R’ton. Jan 84. Derailed Proston. Oct 84. Sunvisors fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1614	Sep 1957	SED	Sep 94 (Ips)
Mar 69. Fitted with periscope. Oct 81. Bracing brackets fitted, Guards seat and head rests modified, 40 lb gas fitted. Oct 84. Sunvisors fitted. Apr86. QR 1 packed bearings.

Doomben Apr 87.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1615	Oct 1957	CD	Aug 90 (Ips)
Packing plates transferred from bogie to underframe. Mar 63. Bogie modification. Jun 68. Periscope fitted. Nov 68. Auto couplers fitted. Nov 74. Derailed Koonkool (CD). Mar 76. Derailed Earlsfield. (CD) Oct 80. Fitted with bracing brackets, Gas heater and rings, Guards seat table.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1616	Nov 1957	ND	Aug 89
Oct 59. CSSC Buffers modified. Jul 80. Gas fitted. Sep 81. Bracing bracket fitted, Guards seat & squabs Jul 85. Derail Bowen – Merinda.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1617	Nov 1957	SWD	Jun 91 (Ips)
Jul 66. Fitted with auto couplers for Moura Tfc. Feb 75. Derailed Bluff – Parnabal section. Aug 85. Derailed Emerald. .

The QR logo was introduced in 1970 and was added to rollingstock during workshop visits soon after.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1618	Feb 1958	SED	Jul 91 (Ips)
Sep 66. Auto couplers fitted for Moura Tfc. Dec 73. Fitted with fans. Jun77. Seats improved.

  

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1619	Jan 1958	CD	Jan 89 (Tve)
Mar 73. Guards seats and backs modified. Dec 74. Derailed Tunnel – Gogango section. Aug 79. Bracing brackets, gas ring & heater, fan, new toilet & washbasin fitted. Feb 81. Derailed Cambooya – Nobby section. Jun88. Derailed Einasleigh – Forsayth Section.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1620	Feb 1958	ND	Feb 89 (Ips)
Jul 77. Bracing brackets fitted, seats improved. Sep 79. Both headstock straighten, renew plates.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1621	Apr 1958	SED	Dec90 (Ips)
Oct 66. Fitted with auto couplers Dec 70. Periscopes fitted. Sep 82. QR 1 bogies changed to QR 3 with packed bearings. Sep 84. Sunvisors fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1622	Apr 1958	CD	Mar 89 (R’ton)
Feb 87. Packed bearing fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1623	Apr 1958	ND	Jul 89 (Ips)
Aug 80. Gas fitted Dec 83. Derailed Ilfracombe section. Oct 88. Derailed Forsayth – Einasleigh section.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1624	Jun 1958	SED	Jan 88 (Ips)
Apr 63 Bogies modified.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1625	Jun 1958	CD	Jul 80 (Ips)

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1626	Jun 1958	ND	Jun 89 (Ips)
Nov 72. Derailed Duchess section. Oct 76. Derailed Bundaberg yard. Jul 81. Gas fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1627	Jul 1958	SED	Mar 90 (Ips)
Jul 77. Fitted with Auto Couples Moura Tfc. Sep 79. Bracing brackets, gas ring & heater, mods to Guards seat. Aug 84. QR 1 packed bearing fitted.

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1628	Aug 1958	CD	Mar 89 (R’ton)
Aug 80. Gas fitted

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1629	Sep 1958	ND	Aug 89 (Ips)
May 68. Modification of bogie springs. Jun 68. Periscopes fitted. Nov 68. Auto Couplers fitted. Jun 80. Gas fitted, bracing brackets, Guards seat modified. Mar 86. Sunvisors fitted.

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1630	Oct 1958	SED	May 89 (Ips)
Jun 65. Radio & Auto couplers fitted for Mt Isa Project. Mar 79. Derailed Toolooa yard.(Gladstone) Jul 79. Radio aerial cut off (working electrified areas,)   May 82. Overhaul & painted Tve.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1631	Sep 1958	SED	Jul 88 (Ips)
Dec 65. Radio and auto couplers fitted for the Mt Isa Project. Aug 79. Collided with ford cortina Emerald. Sep 79  Collided with ??? Bowen. Sep 80. Gas fitted. Sep 81. Collided with QGX Emerald. Jul 82. Derailed Willows - Bogan section. Sep 83. QR 1 packed bearing fitted. Oct 85. Derailed Bullock Ck section.

Batch 3 Vans # 1632 – 1641.

QR 14 Bradford Kendall (cast steel) A.S.F. Ride control Bogies. 12 T.A.L. SKF roller bearings.

Underframe built by Scotts of Ipswich.

Bodies built by Ipswich Workshops.

C.S.S.C. Buffers.

Wash basin and Lavatory in Guard’s compartment.

50 gall water tank.

Steel Lookouts.

Link type screw couplings.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1632	Jul 1961	ND	Jul 89 (Ips)
Apr 65. Auto coupling and Radio equipment fitted charged to Mt Isa Fund. Oct 73. Electric fans fitted. Jul 79. Radio Aerial removed. Jul 80. Gas fitted.

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1633	Jul 1961	ND	Oct 89 (Ips)
Jun 65. Auto couplers and radio fitted for Mt Isa Project. Nov 72. Derailed Cloncurry Jun 74. General Overhaul Tve. Nov 74 Ritter Fans fitted. Dec 80. Bracing brackets, gas fitted. Aug 81. Derailed Redbank.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1634	Jul 1961	ND	Mar 89 (CD)
Jun 65. Auto couplers and radio fitted. Nov 78. Brake gear modified. Jul 80. Gas fitted. Sep 82. QR 1 bogies change to QR 3 with packed bearings ??

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1635	Jul 1961	ND	Nov 88 (Twba)
Jun 65. Auto couplers and radio fitted. Oct 65. Modification to springing. Gross load reduced to 20 Tons. Nov 73. Fans fitted. Mod to Guards seats and back. Jul 79. Radio aerial removed. May 80. Gas fitted. Dec 83. Alpha Brake down van.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1636	Jul 1961	ND	Mar 85 (Ips)
Jun 65. Auto coupling and radio Fitted. Sep 74. Fans fitted. Dec 74. Derailed Edungalba yard. Nov 80. Bracing brackets, gas fitted. Oct 84. Derailed Auckland Pt.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1637	Jul 1961	ND	Jul 88 (Ips)
Jul 65. Auto coupling and radio fitted. Jul 79. Aerial removed. (Twba) Jun 80. Gas fitted. Aug 88. Derailed Einasleigh – Forsayth.

In later years, sheeting instead of boards was used on some vans.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1638	Jul 1961	ND	Aug 89 (ND)
Mar 63. Printed with special primer supplied by BALM. Mar 65. Auto couplings and radio fitted. Jul 79. Radio aerial removed. Aug 80. Gas fitted. Jun 83. Derailed Dullaca – Jackson section (SWD) Dynamo fell off.

  

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1639	Jul 1961	ND	Nov 88 (Ips)??
Dec 65. Auto couplers and radio fitted. Aug 73. Repairs to Guards seat, fans, shelves and wash basin fitted (M’boro) Nov 78. Brake gear modified. Nov 80. Gas fitted.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1640	Jul 1961	ND	Mar 89 (CD)
Jun 65. Auto couplers and radio fitted. Feb 78. Bracing brackets fitted. Mar 79. Derailed Lapps section. Sep 80. Gas fitted.

When converted to Radio Vans, a lighting flash with the “Radio” was added to the lookout and end of vans.

 

Number	In Service	Division	Written Off
1641	Jul 1961	ND	Fen 89 (Tve)
Jun 65. Auto couplings and radio fitted. May 77. Derailed Pentland – Warrigal Section. Jun 80. Bracing bracket, gas, Guards table, seats, toilet and basin fitted.

Guards in the Northern Division (ND) were not over happy with the ride that these vans gave, they were of the opinion the freight bogies gave them a rough ride. Having travelled in the vans quite a bit in the late 1960’s the ride was far from Sunlander conditions. Trying to sleep stretched out along the seat was not a lot of fun on the back of a WHO train loaded with coal or ore.  From time to time one would wake up in transit to the floor. A full train of wagons fitted with auto couplers was new to most Guards going to the area for classifications.    

I recall one van spent a few weeks on it roof beside the track in the section near Homestead.

Markings.

Early 1970’s, 2^nd class classification was replaced with economy class. During the 2^nd class era vans and carriages were marked by a 2^nd symbol, or in some had the word “SECOND” on the door. There were no markings for economy class.

After 1970, the QR Logo was added to the side in various locations.

Around the 1980’s, some vans had the classification “BBV” add above the number on the lookout.

Preserved.  

One van can be found at Gympie as part of the Mary Valley Rattler collection.

I understand there are two BBV in the Brooweena Historical Village and Museum. Vans 1605 and 1613 were written off at Maryborough. Maybe they are these two vans??? The website shows the village has the Brooweena railway station and goods shed. 

Model.

Give the numbers above, no QR layout should be without one or two. Looking at the January 1963 classes of coaching rolling stock there was 306 passenger vans in service. That’s 1 in 4 were BBV’s. 

Over the years there has been a number of models (kits) of the class, sorry, none of them were to my liking with various defects that would take a lot of time to correct or alter.  

The BBV van in this article is a Caintode Flats kit, paint and couplers is all that is required to finish the model. 

Hand rail knobs I made from brass rod supplied in the kit, some time back a pair of beading pliers were modified, one side was filled down to a much smaller diameter on the outside. The eye ring is made by twisting the rod around the new shaped jaw. Cal – Scale manufacture “Lift Rings” .012 wire, Part # 190-501, 20 to a packet. Detail Associates also do a similar product, # 2206 Eye Bolts - 3½” dia. wire formed. Tichy Train Group manufacture a plastic “Eyebolt” # 3037 similar in size. Insect pins are used where I want chrome hand rails, they are stainless steel, don’t use your best set of side cutter to cut them to length. They are added after painting.       

The kit comes with etched nickel silver steps (running board) brackets which makes things very easy. In the past I used standard staples cut to size, this may explain the ups and downs in previous models.

Hand rails/Steps on the end were folded up using a Keiran Ryan Models KRM Misc. 001 Bending & Drilling jig. The $6.60 investment was well worth it and is a dream to use, instructions are on Keiran’s website. .

The kit was assembled in the usual method, the roof was made to be detachable and is held into place with a 2 mm screw under the floor. Passenger compartments, seats and a couple of passengers were added

Photos show an extra smaller battery box as well as the larger box, this was made and added to the underframe.    

 

White step treads were added on one side only, a later era. .010” styrene strip was cut to length and added after painting.   

I did stuff up the paint job a little in applying the decals, the price one pays for being in a hurry. A black wash was applied in an effort to try and hide my errors, and we all know that was another blue. Overall, the construction of the van was similar to the “Southport” CLV van back in March 2023 blog posting. 

Given one in four passenger vans on the QR network were BBV’s, I have some catching up to do and will need to add a few more. A very nice model and a joy to do.  

Trust, you found something that was usefully for your modelling endeavours. Many thanks for your support and for checking out the blog. Until next time we hit the tracks on the layout, enjoy your modelling and have fun.   

The next post will mark 100 posting. I will need to find something special?? 

Acknowledgements.

Brake Vans of the Queensland Railways 1864 - 1980 by John Armstrong.

QR “List of Coaching Rollingstock” 3^rd January 1963.

QR Plans

Queensland State Archives

Australian Model Railway Association Queensland Library

Rob Farlow Photo Collection.

 

Arthur H.