H0 scale NMBS SNCB torpedo spacer car Es type 1215A7

prototype: These spectacularly unspectacular open cars were used as spacer cars between torpedos in hot metal trains in the 1990's and 2000's. It seems it was a modified version of the 1215A5 type with extra brake controls, I don't think they were ever used for normal freight traffic, as all pictures of these cars I found show them as spacer cars. They were loaded with some gravel and other debris (old railway sleepers etc) to increase the weight and improve running characteristics and braking. Most cars had hand brake wheels on the sides of the chassis, but not all of them. I modelled both types. model: parts needed: wheelsets 10.5mm wheel diameter 24.5-25mm axle length metal wire 0,4mm couplers and coupler mechanisms (symoba 111) lead sheet or some other weight assembly: see pic because of the long wheelbase I designed one axle to pivot, should improve running a bit. I included a pristine body with flat sides as built and a body with slightly bulging sides and fronts as these cars usually looked in use. Print whatever you think fits your layout. The body should be printed at an angle, upside down, see pic of how I printed it. The file already has a lot of internal supports to make sure the brake system comes out nicely, I'll leave the headache of supporting the details on the front to you. Cleaning up the top of the car should be quite easy. The floor has a recess for a piece of lead sheet, you can cover it with gravel and debris like on the picture, or if you want an empty car use the printed floor or even better real wood or a piece of scribed and sanded styrene sheet (28x98 mm, floorboards are 2mm wide) Note: I used a sand and wood glue mix with a bit of water to make the debris load, just dumped it right into the unpainted print and afterwards the print started warping quite badly. Seems the resin I used (phrozen aqua gray 8k) doesn't like water. You can use the printed fixed nem pockets for kadee couplers, symoba 111 mechanisms should fit in the same spot. corner handrails and handbrake wheel axle are made using metal wire. Preferably, make the 2 steps with some metal wire and sheet, I included printable ones but I fear they won't last long. colours: everything brown (I mixed my own bright brown using revell 330 red with a bit of revell 302 black), except hooks, brake handwheels, door handles (yellow) brake controls (white, small one yellow lever, big one red lever) and rear end signal holder thingies (white) The inside of the car I sprayed flat black, then misted with bright rust (humbrol 62) and made it a bit more interesting with some dirty grey-brown drybrush and various rusty colouring pencils. A dxf with markings for a bunch of 2000's era cars is included, in time I'll have some decals made. Note: I tried to depict markings as accurately (and therefore chaotically) as possibe but of course I don't have full pictures of each car (weirdly everybody with a camera seemed to care more about the torpedos) So, that's it, for now. Further variants (I'm afraid I'll need the shorter wheelbase version 1215A4 for my 80's stuff) may follow, we'll see. Cheers, Floris PS: if you print and build one of these, posting make or sending me some pics would of course be appreciated! If you encounter problems, please let me know.