OCCRE LONDON TRAM KIT L.C.C.106This tramcar was built in April 1903 by the company “Electric Railway and Tramway Carriage Works”. It was one of the hundred B class vehicles ordered by the “London County Council”.
With number 106 this car was used as a passenger transit vehicle up until 1925, when it was converted into a snow broom and given the number 022.
In 1983, 106 was taken to the Crich Village National Tramway Museum, in Derbyshire, where it remains to this day, having covered over 10,000 miles transporting passengers.
It was originally powered by “Dick Kerr” Motors, type DK25A, providing 25 hp, which were replaced in 1927 by “Westinghouse” motors type 220, providing 42 hp.
It was originally fitted with Handbrakes on the wheels and rheostatic braking through the motors. In 1908 magnetic track brakes were fitted.
INITIAL THOUGHTS:1. Paint details (and this appears to be common across all of the Occre
kits I will review) just refer to a colour name (Cream, Red Burgundy,
Brown). No references to any of the known brands so for this part of
the build it’s going to be down to your own research to some degree
to get the right shades.
While at first this might not seem an issue, were markings are
provided for the kit part of these is printed with the model base
colour. So get this wrong and the markings will stand out like a sore
thumb.
From what I have seen on various web sites the actual colour of this
tram is Crimson rather than Burgundy for example.
This kit comes with an A4 laser sheet of the markings to use. The
instructions would have you glue these on with PVA. I can see this
giving a very poor result without extreme care and remember you get
no spares. Spray photo mount might be one solution.
Initial thoughts on this area have lead me to look at Inkjet and
Laser Jet decal films in both Clear and White. I am thinking it might
be better to scan and print my own waterslide decals from the kit
markings.
2. Another observation is that Occre show a parts guide with numbering
for all of the laser cut sheets but they fail to supply a breakdown
of the additional cast, wood and accessory parts that make up the
kit. I would recommend you follow the instructions and tick off each
part to ensure nothing is missing.
3. This is a fairly large kit and some of the laser cut sheets are
duplicated in order to supply the required number of parts – you get
plenty for your money.
4. With most of these Occre kits you are able to request a laser etched
plaque with which to label you completed model. A very nice touch
especially as these are sent free of charge and free of any postage
charge so for that Occre are to be commended – a nice touch.
5. The box of castings and accessory parts that come with this kit weigh
in at 457 grams.
6. My main gripe with this kit is again coils of brass wire. In this
particular kit it gets used extensively and being a very thick gauge
it’s not going to be easy to straighten (even following the excellent
guide provided by
Karl recently). Might be
another part that needs replacing with suitable brass rod from the
likes of Albion Alloys.
SO WHAT DO YOU GET IN THE BOX?birdaj2 attached the following image(s):
Happy Modelling
BUILDING: Hachette Spitfire Mk 1A, Constructo Mayflower
SUBSCRIPTION COMPLETE (Awaiting building): USS Constitution, Sovereign of the Seas, 1:200 Bismarck (Hachette)
COMPLETED: Porsche 911, E-Type Jaguar, Lam Countach
US
