The LFX 2nd Class Dogbox Compartment Carriages of the NSWR

Page added 13th January 2000

I have drawn these diagrams to HO (3.5mm = 1ft) and they print out to that scale on my printer, however, I can't guarantee they will do the same on yours!

The Mansard roofed cars, 1897-1909

The 12 cars of the first batch were delivered in 1897 and were numbered 749, 770, 772, 782, 785,789 and 994 to 999.  Further batches of Mansard roofed LFXs entered service between 1901 and 1909.  These later batches were similar externally to the first batches, but had a different arrangement for toilet access inside the compartments.  Their numbers were:- 38, 39, 40, 64, 97, 137, 312, 602, 679, 719, 724, 726, 932, 1035, 1038, 1050 -1061, 1106-07, 1136-41, 1230-1247, 1341-13660 and 1398-1408.

As the years went by many were rebuilt as R cars and the survivors as Dogboxes had their external appearance updated with the replacement of the English style panelling with matchboards and straight mouldings.  Eventually, a small number had the matchboarding replaced with Masonite panels and their final appearance was as below.
 

Post-war survivors were 38, 39, 40, 97, 312, 609, 679, 724, 1036,1038, 1052, 1053, 1056, 1058, 1059, 1060, 1139, 1141, 1230, 1231, 1232, 1236, 1237, 1239, 1240, 1241, 1244, 1245, 1247, 1343, 1344, 1346, 1347, 1348, 1353, 1355, 1358, 1360, 1407, 1408
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Low Semi-Elliptical roofed cars,  1910-1911

In 1910-11, 18 LFXs were delivered with a new roof profile, the Low Semi-Elliptical.  This was one of the first changes introduced by the incoming Chief Mechanical Engineer, E.E.Lucy who had been trained on the English Great Western Railway.  Many features of the NSWR, including the use of Mansard roofs, that had been implemented by the London and North Western Railway trained outgoing CME William Thow, were about to change! 

This batch of LFXs carried the numbers 1492 to 1509.
 
 
 
 
 

As with the Mansard roofed LFXs the Low Semi-Elliptical roofed versions had their bodies reclad with matchboards and the panelling simplified.  All were scrapped, converted or relegated to Ways and Works service between 1957 and 1965.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The First Series of High Semi-Elliptical roofed LFXs, 1911-12

In 1911 a new roof shape was introduced, the High Semi-Elliptical, which was higher and more domed in the center then the Low Semi-Elliptical.  The previous underframe and 5ft 9in wheelbase bogies were retained. 

Numbers for these cars were: 1633-1656 and 1729-1743
 
 
 
 
 
 

These cars were rebuilt during the 1920s-30s with matchboards and plain panelling replacing the original elaborate LNWR style.  Some were converted to BKC car carriers in the late 1950s while the rest were condemned during the late 1950s, early 1960s, except for 1643 which was rebuilt into an FR in 1942.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Second Series of High Semi-Elliptical roofed LFXs,  1912-1915

Commencing in late 1912 a major change was made to the underframe.  The bogies were changed to the 7ft wb 2AD type and the truss rod arrangement and carriage wheelbase was altered to compensate.

These cars were numbered:   42, 46,  69, 76, 80,  82, 86, 91, 588, 643, 728, 881, 1760-1777, 1845-1854, 1965-1984 and 2068-2075

These cars were, of course, rebuilt along with the rest in the inter war period.  All were converted to goods wagons, W&W vans or condemned in the late 1950s, early 1960s.  LFX 1776 is preserved at the NSWRTM at Thirlmere, but at sometime between 1968 and 1977 swapped its 2AD bogies for 5ft 9ins 2AAs.
 

MODELLING DOGBOXES

There is only one acceptable model available commercially of the Mansard roofed LFX until Mike McCormac releases his range of Dogboxes.  It is the ILM LFX which is a model of LFX 609 with Masonite sides.  


My model of LFX 609 stands in the loop at the rear of a Mixed.  
The Guard of that PHG really should have transfered that taildisc to the rear of the LFX!

ILM products are available from:

Ian Lindsay Models
PO Box 124
PENDLE HILL NSW 2145
AUSTRALIA
Fax: (02) 9631 0951
Phone: 015 229 244

The only other easy way to model a Mansard LFX, short of scratchbuilding, is to modify the Trainorama BX kit, which may still be available from Austrains.

There are currently no commercially available models of any of the Semi-Elliptical roofed versions, though the model marketed by Lloyds Model Railways as a CX is the old Protype model which was originally designed as an LFX but came out of the moulds a little too big!

My old Protype LFX desn't scrub up all that badly, considering its age.
 It is painted in Pre-war fully lined Russet & Venetian Red, and I would be surprised if I
could still do fine lining like that, the old eyes having deteriorated a bit lately!.

I have constructed a Low Semi-Elliptical roofed LFX using the sides from the old Main West kit, the underframe from the ILM LFX, a modified PHG roof from AM models and scratchbuilding the ends.

Similar conversions could be carried out using the Trainorama BX as a basis.

Way back when I was active in HO, I started to convert the Trainorama BX to a CX.  The photo above show how far I got.  I cut sections out of the sides to shorten them to the correct length.  It would have had a scratchbuilt chassis, Protype whitemetal bogies.

Quite a reasonable BX can be modelled using the Trainorama kit as a basis.

This one has the pannelling at the ends of the sides and footboards added, but is otherwise as designed by the manufacturer.

My favourite BX is the High semi-elliptical with Dean bogies, as in this photo taken by Bob Merchant at Picton in the late 1950s

My version has modified Main West sides, Protype Dean bogies and scratchbuilt underframe, ends and roof.


Its not really bent!  The wide angle lens has distorted it a bit.
 

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