Building a "O" scale Brisbane FM Part 1.

The first Brisbane FM was built in 1938 (No 400) and the last was built in 1964 (No 554). There were several design changes over the years from canvas blinds on the doors and wooden seats to sliding doors, padded seats and fluorescent lights.

This model I'm about to start is by TRANSITCLASSICS in Victoria who have recently produced a polyurethane kit for a Brisbane FM in "O" scale. The kit represents one of the group numbered from 482 to 503. This group had sliding doors and padded seats.

Typical of the group No 497 painted in the standard all over grey of the time is shown in Adelaide St in the mid 1960s . The advertising on the sides at least brightened up the trams to some degree.

The kit came in a large cardboard box and typical of polyurethane castings has a fair amount of flash to remove. This photo is how the parts came out of the box. The obvious distortion in not the parts it is my cheap pocket digital camera. The parts are all well cast with good detail and the flash is thin and easy to remove with a knife.

This is the first kit for a Brisbane tram that has been available in "O" scale and I am looking forward to the project it as it will be a break from scratch building. Over the next few weeks I hope to report on my progress.