As the Second World War began, traffic began to pick up astronomically, and at the same time car builders got busier and steel became scarce. The WV&K NG did what NG lines are best at…they improvised. Having a major lumber mill online supplied the bulk of the raw materials, and having their own expert shop forces, they designed and built a class of all wood cars “For The Duration”… These cars are based on the N&W’s Class HS hopper which really was an all wood car built during WWI to conserve steel. I NEED more rolling stock online, and since my styrene order hasn’t shown up yet, I decided to take a page out of “The Bruce’s” book and build from what I got on hand, that is to say WOOD!
This car is going to represent a fully modern Wooden car complete with knuckle couplers and air brakes, but is intended to be an operating model. That is to say not a lot of delicate fiddly details to apply and keep reapplying everytime it gets used. Materials are 1 x12 shelving board and some 1/4 luan ply wood left over from some shelving projects. Detail masters are gonna be made from styrene scrap, and cast in resin natcherlly. Each car is 16" long and I believe I have enough material for a run of 4 cars, which would spot my hopper fleet at 10, respectable I think. The cars are gonna ride on my own cast resin trucks as well.
