H0 iron ore car (high sides, air brakes)

Model of an old iron ore car as used by the Espérance-Longdoz steelworks in Seraing, Belgium. Other companies in France and Luxemburg used the same or very similar cars.

These cars were probably built in the 1930's and transported many tons or iron ore from the mines in northern France and later the port of Antwerp to the blast furnaces in Seraing. They survived in this role well into the 1960's. After the arrival of more modern ore cars many of these older types were used to transport coke around seraing.

I designed this model using the main dimensions on the rolling stock fiche. I found only one photo that shows one of these cars in mainline service, somewhere hidden in the background and very blurry: https://www.flickr.com/photos/petervangestel/50231831197/
The fiche indicates it has panelled sides, but on the photo they seem flat, so I went with that, but I'm not sure about this. It's interesting to see it still in ore trains in 1974, with COCKERILL SERAING markings. Sadly I have no data about numbers in those days. I built one in yellow livery for coke service on my own layout.

Extra stuff needed to complete this car:
Symoba 111 coupler mechanisms
point bearing axles,length 24,5mm, wheel diameter 10,5mm. Preferably spoked wheels.
2 short self-tapping screws 2mm diameter
decals (dxf vector drawing for 1960's version included)

For building instructions I added the picture of the version with brake cab, because I am lazy. maybe one day you'll be able to forgive me.

Printing: I printed the body "upside down" as the top is pretty easy to clean up after removing the supports. Set it at a bit of an angle to prevent print lines through the subtle panelling on the sides.