H0e Coaches From Ukraine

Once again the workshop in at Miniland Kyiv has produced a couple of excellent 1/87 scale models and shipped them northwest to Denmark. The coaches are part of a larger order being gradually delivered as the models are finished. So far I have received two bogie platforms and a refrigerator wagon and I'm still expecting the arrival of some tank wagons and two PV40 coaches.

Another addition to my collection of Soviet narrow gauge rolling stock: Miniland built models of Ukrainian Pafawag coaches.

A total of 600 3Aw 750 mm narrow-gauge passenger cars were built between 1957 and 1960. 560 units were officially imported by the USSR. The coaches were almost exclusively known by the name of their manufacturer Pafawag (Państwowa Fabryka Wagonów) in Wroclaw, Poland. The factory opened in 1833 as Linke-Hofmann-Werke, in 1953 the company was renamed Pafawag and is today a part of the Bombardier group.

While most Pafawag coaches were standard passenger cars, the order also included variants used as VIP and dining cars. Most of the coaches, however, were fitted as 'Жесткий' (hard class) with simple, robust wooden slatted benches to maximize capacity and withstand wear from industrial and agricultural commuter traffic. 

The variants of the Pafawag wagons also included post and baggage wagons. Worth noting that this mention of the wagons is also simply naming them 'Pafawag' and not by any more specific type. 

Once the carriages reached the Soviet Union, local railway workshops soon carried out customizations to local needs. Several long-distance narrow-gauge lines in the Soviet Union required overnight accommodation, and workshops added internal bulkheads to convert the open coaches with seats to sleepers with simple, stacked longitudinal wooden berths.

Interior view of a Pafawag 'sleeper'. A sleeping passenger can just be seen lying in one of the upper berths. Most likely an image from the 1990's. The line's rural character is easily betrayed by the abundance of baggage in the top berths.

The 3Aw was the final development in a process that ironed out shortcomings in the original design. Soviet industry had begun to produce the PV40 coach in 1955, but the need for a larger and more technically advanced carriage seems to have prompted the need for assistance from the Polish railway industry. The original design 1Aw suffered from unstable running at higher speeds and the 2Aw sought to improve running and was built in almost 100 examples. The 3Aw was the final and most numerous version with final deliveries in 1960. 

Drawing of a standard 3Aw. Interesting to note that the drawing is printed in Russian, but the Polish company has signed and stamped in Polish. The Pafawags were long (almost 15 m) and became popular due to their better running compared to the shorter and more primitive PV40.

In model form my Pafawag carriages are built by modellers associated with Ukraine's largest model railway 'Miniland' in Kyiv. Some very talented modellers, fast and safe shipping as well as reasonable prices have made me a faithful customer. The wagons are most likely built from kits manufactured by another Ukrainian company Retro Trains Models. The carriages were shipped in a sturdy cardboard box in record time: only five days passed from receiving a notice that the wagons were sent to they were delivered on my doorstep.  Each coach is individually packed in a cardboard box lined with foam. Opening the box and removing a foam lid gives access to the model. I paid ca. 220 € for two coaches and considering the excentric prototype and quality provided I find that most reasonably.

Long and sleek with toilet in one end and a stove in the other. A modern coach by Soviet narrow gauge standards in the late 1950's.

The models have fully detailed interiors. Hard to see from my photos.  

My two 3Aw are finished in different liveries: the original green and blue as currently used by several of the 'childrens' railways' having replaced the old Soviet 'pioneer railways'. Both models are with Ukrainian Railways' lettering. If you wish to display green coaches with Soviet markings, I think you are best advised to reletter yourself by ordering a decal sheet form RTM. The wagons display a full interior, but I haven't yet had the courage to find out if I can gain access to the interior to install passengers.

The 3Aw bogies are remarkably detailed their small size considered. They are difficult to appreciate when seen from usual viewing angles on a layout, but in a close up they look really good. Compare with the image of a prototype bogie below.

A prototype bogie with decorative white painted wheel rims.

The underside of the Pafawag carriages is less detailed than the freight wagons in my collection. As I don't display my models on their sides it really doesn't matter. What can be seen from the side is present.

The steps are etched metal with 'see through effect' and the bogies are equipped for power pick up for internal lighting.

As usual the assembly of the wagons has been done with excellent workmanship, and the painting is of no less quality. The company logo of Ukrainian Railways and lettering looks painted through a stencil resembling the style used on the real carriages perfectly.

A good representation of the usual stencilled lettering between the central pair of windows.

The length of a Pafawag is clearly visible when coupled to a TU4 locomotive.

Both Pafawags are packed safely away in their boxes again. The summer of 2026 is dedicated to 1/19 scale modelling.

Citroen HY In Service on Nystrup Gravel

Bought back in august 2022 the Solido Citroen HY van is now in service on Nystrup Gravel. This is the second van on the layout with a French background and a real icon. The van needed a few tweaks and weathering before it was ready for display on my layout.

It's summer and much of my modelling at this time of year happens outside. Photographing a finished model, too.

With the investment pattern of Nystrup Gravel there is always something stored on the shelves to bring to the worktable. If lack of fortune should ever leave the little company poor there are projects for several years in storage, only needing paint and materials. The Citroen HY van is now out of storage. Not because the financial situation for Nystrup Gravel is worsening - I simply missed working on a car model!

As usual I begin with disassembling the model. It separated to a greater extent than planned! I hope the repair will be manageable. I worked outdoor as Denmark (as most of Europe) has had quite high temperatures (34 C in late June).

Before I disassembled the model I had made a list of things I wanted to add or change on the van. Nothing major, but just to make the Citroen a little more realistic and fit in on the Nystrup Gravel layout. Because let's face it: this is not a fine scale model, but a diecast car with added plastic detal that is often quite simple.

• Paint headlights. Moulded in plastic and obviously so.
• Rear axle. Bent and needs adjusting.
• Interior details. Add coulour and details. Remove benches in cargo area and repaint.
• License plates. Add Danish 1950's license plates.
• Weathering. Slight dusting and basic weathering. 

Seats frames were painted gloss black and the cushions leather brown. The bare metal floor under the seats were painted grey, as it was only the area in front of and between the seats that was covered in black matting. The prototype cab is very spartan and there really isn't much to add to the model. Having removed the seats in the cargo compartment and repaired the damage from the disassembly process, I air brushed the model's all black interior grey using thinned 991 'Dark Sea Grey' from Vallejo. I then weathered the floor very lightly. I skipped any further weathering and detailing as only the top rear door opens and the view of the interior is very limited. The glass in the rear door opening was missing on my model and I added a new one from a piece of clear plastic.

There aren't too many HY's in original condition. Most have been rebuilt into food trucks, mobile homes or restored almost beyond recognition. Here's a nice original one from the UK. The rear window is a different shape than on my model. This HY has weathered nicely!

The bent rear axle that made the left rear wheel sit off-angle was fixed by adding a 4 mm thick scrap of plastic behind the wheel. This holds the wheel in it's right position. I tried to straighten the axle but without success as I was afraid of ruining the wheel attachment completely. Painted black the rectangular piece of plastic isn't very noticable. While this really isn't a proper solution the trick works.

It was a quick job cutting and sanding a pair of license plates from 1 mm plasticard. With a few quick passes of a brush with gloss yellow paint they were soon ready to receive the decals from 'Skilteskoven'. The front plate was fitted under the radiator and the rear plate over the rear door. To make the rear plate fit properly I had to remove a small metal casting with a grinder attachment in my Dremel. 

The license plates are fixed to a wooden stick during painting. Danish license plates during the 1950's were stamped metal plates with round edges. Using 1 mm plasticcard allows me to round the edges and obtain a good likeness to the prototype.

Decals added and the first weathering applied to the van.

The head lights were painted 991 'Dark Sea Grey' from Vallejo which is a decent match for the van's colour scheme despite not being metallic. Before I added the license plates I weathered the model with an intial air brushing of matt varnish on the lower third of the van. Once dry I added another layer of matt varnish, now with a touch of sand coloured paint added. I air brushed this on the lower quarter of the van giving the impression of a car that has travelled on dusty country roads. A wash of heavily thinned black oil paint was added around roof edges, handles and around the lid of the petrol tank. Very limited traces of rust were added. Not much as the van was a relatively new car in the Nystrup Gravel-period.

The right side of the van showing sliding door and slight traces of beginning rust where upper body elements join.

A short stop for a cup of coffee from the thermos.

Not every story has a happy ending! Here is a humiliating end for a long wheel base Citroen van. Butchered into a trailer for horse transports.

The end of my Citroen HY is much better. New tasks ahead so off it goes.