A couple of hours yesterday saw the brake van complete (or as complete as I plan to make it). I deviated from Jim’s build methods by using some WEP compensation units, although I have fitted other vehicles exactly as Jim suggests without issue before.

I rolled some microbore tube in my rolling bars to ensure that all four sand pipes were to the same profile and then made the distinctive safety loops for the brake yokes from fine scrap etch. Besides painting the only things to complete are the springing of the coupling hooks/buffers.

As with the other Connoisseur wagons that I have built, this was a joy to put together even if you don’t want to add any additional details.