French Pontoon Train and Bridge

After being away from blogging from a while (which my next post will show why exactly), I decided to show my next project off. I'm going to be posting more regularly now, so you won't have to wonder why this blog went quiet. You rarely see these pontoon figures and it is clear why as almost no company makes them! Pontoon trains seemingly get ignored, much as limbers do, however they are an incredibly significant part of an army while on campaign.

The pontoon wagon chassis and pontoons are from Minifigs. Being the only company that made them in 15mm, there wasn't any other choice. The rear wheels are from Old Glory which are much closer to the 18mm world that our 15mm figures now inhabit. The front and the horse teams are simply an AB French limber set. The pontoons were a little over sized for true 15mm oddly enough, so this conversion works out quite well.

I picked up the Minifigs pontoon set from a friend who had two unopened blisters that he wanted to get rid of. I paid $10 for each, which was their original cost. Each pack had both Austrian and generic workers in action for construction, however since the figures were true 15mm, they would not work with my armies that I have at the moment. It appears that I will have to simply make the trains, pontoon bridge and lumber wagon (in next post) work as a convincing pontoon train.

The bridge set is from Hallmark figures out of the UK. I purchased it on eBay last week along with a few other odds and ends (including some 15mm cats & dogs believe it or not).

The bridge is a little rough on a few pieces and one small hole in the resin that I will have to even out with lots of sanding and green stuff. I'll be following up with another post once the set is completed.