Hi everyone-
I'm in the process of building some of the Society kits. While assembling the RNAD branch van I added weight inside the benches before gluing the bench tops on, but I want to add weight to the cattle van and some slate wagons I have. I also want to add weight to my slate wagons.
My questions are these:
-does anyone make metal cows or sheep. If I'm going to put a load in the wagon, metal livestock would be an easy way. I can find plenty of plastic ones...
-does anyone make metal slate loads instead of the plastic ones that come with the Bachmann/Peco slate wagons?
I'm not sure if it will be of much help if you are in the States, but Langley make whitemetal sheep. They are quite old models so don't expect the level of detail that come with the latest 3D printed figures from suppliers such as Modelu.
https://www.langleymodels.co.uk/awd1/index.php?route=product/search&search=sheep (https://www.langleymodels.co.uk/awd1/index.php?route=product/search&search=sheep)
I don't know about slate loads, but I suspect a full cast metal slate load could be quite heavy for what are usually very small wagons. It might be as well to disguise a piece of lead under a plastic load or drill one out and fill with shot or something similar
Quote from: Graeme Dunbar on February 06, 2026, 22:20I'm not sure if it will be of much help if you are in the States, but Langley make whitemetal sheep. They are quite old models so don't expect the level of detail that come with the latest 3D printed figures from suppliers such as Modelu.
https://www.langleymodels.co.uk/awd1/index.php?route=product/search&search=sheep (https://www.langleymodels.co.uk/awd1/index.php?route=product/search&search=sheep)
I don't know about slate loads, but I suspect a full cast metal slate load could be quite heavy for what are usually very small wagons. It might be as well to disguise a piece of lead under a plastic load or drill one out and fill with shot or something similar
Thanks Graeme. One of my friends here in the US sells Langley products, so I can probably get them from him. If not I do purchase from a few stockists in the UK... the slate loads I have are about the size of the 1/4oz lead weights I have (2 two weights stacked). I'll check to see if the loads I have are hollow and thus able to be filled with weight. I also have some moldable lead that I might be able to use.
When adding weight to wagons I usually stick this to the underside of the floor between the sole bars. Using lead sheet - not sure how easily available that would be in the US but in the UK it's quite widely used in roofing (so keep an eye out for someone having some work done and ask for any off cuts) and is also used to weigh down aquarium plants in the form of a thin strip that's wrapped around the stem. You may also be able to get 'mist shot' - very fine lead balls - that can be poured into an open box made from the sole bars and some styrene strip and held in place by soaking with adhesive.
One thing to mention though - don't use PVA to stick in the lead, as the 2 react over time causing the lead to swell up.
Quote from: JulienW on February 07, 2026, 11:10When adding weight to wagons I usually stick this to the underside of the floor between the sole bars. Using lead sheet - not sure how easily available that would be in the US but in the UK it's quite widely used in roofing (so keep an eye out for someone having some work done and ask for any off cuts) and is also used to weigh down aquarium plants in the form of a thin strip that's wrapped around the stem. You may also be able to get 'mist shot' - very fine lead balls - that can be poured into an open box made from the sole bars and some styrene strip and held in place by soaking with adhesive.
One thing to mention though - don't use PVA to stick in the lead, as the 2 react over time causing the lead to swell up.
Julien-
There is some lead sheet available here (on eBay) and I've been considering buying some. Thanks for the PVA warning, I'll use CA if I get the lead...
Dyna Model Products made metal cows, sheep, and pigs. These appear regularly on eBay.
Jeff
Quote from: Jeff Schumaker on February 07, 2026, 14:05Dyna Model Products made metal cows, sheep, and pigs. These appear regularly on eBay.
Jeff
Jeff-
I found some have have them ordered - thanks!
You are welcome. I hope they work out for you.
Jeff