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Six up – Bachmann Baby Scot with BR Mk1s

Silver Sidelines

Entry posted by Silver Sidelines

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My last session featured some of my older models of BR (LMR) steam 4-6-0s. On that occasion I had started to strengthen some of my rakes of coaches and had added additional second class BR Mk1s.

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Six Up

The Hornby ‘Staniers’ are relatively light weight. The Bachmann ‘Portholes’, despite some criticism of the bogie design, I think are free running. Adding an extra Bachmann Mk1 to the ‘Staniers’ and the ‘Portholes’ did not cause any haulage problems on my gradients.

 

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My Bachmann Mk1s appear to be heavy and rather sluggish coaches. A rake of six Mk1s was maybe a ‘coach too far’ for some of my 4-6-0s. With a good run the train would manage the gradient but the performance was rather frantic. I would clean the coach wheels and check the bearing cups with my reaming tool.

 

The old split chassis type Bachmann Jubilees weigh in around 308 gm. Mine have quite a good haulage capacity. The new Bachmann Jubilees have a space inside the boiler for the DC chip and their weight reduces to around 280gm. If you are like me and are not fitting a DC chip then it is relatively straightforward to add some lead and bring the weight up to a little over 310 gm.

 

This weekend I have been playing with a Bachmann Baby Scot or as otherwise known, an unrebuilt Patriot. From my old train spotting books the unrebuilt engines were disappearing fast in 1961. Looking at the numbers I must have seen Upperby based engines during visits to Carlisle. Visits to Warrington and Chester must have provided opportunities to see Edgehill (Liverpool) and Longsight (Manchester) shedded engines. The unrebuilt engines were classified ‘6P5F’, the same as the majority of the Jubilees. I am guessing that they would have been used on semi-fast passenger turns and fitted freights.

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Bachmann Baby Scot

The prototype engine has a huge firebox. Some time ago I took a look inside the model and yes there appears to be plenty of space around the motor for extra ballast.

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Filling the fire box

I made a paper pattern and used this to shape some pieces of lead for the firebox sides (nominally 21 x 44 mm).

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Reverse (top) showing indents for handrail fixings and channel to accommodate seam in plastic moulding

The fixings for the handrail knobs protruded inside the firebox on my model. I carved a couple of indents in the lead to clear the handrail fixings and also the join in the plastic boiler moulding.

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Lead sides to firebox

Adding lead to the firebox sides increased the weight of the Bachmann Patriot to around 315 gm. Sadly my model was still struggling with six Bachmann Mk1s. I would need to add some more lead.

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Kit of parts – mark II

This time I added a piece of lead to the front of the firebox (nominally 15 x 25 mm) and another piece to the top (nominally 20 x 25 mm).

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The works

Despite the cavernous size of the old ‘Fowler’ fire box it would appear that a lot of the height is utilised by the Bachmann motor so the top piece of lead needed some shaping with a file to keep it clear of the motor and wiring.

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Lead lined fire box

My model now turned the scales at 330 gm. Performance was enhanced – perhaps only modestly – but sufficient for my needs. I have posted

, part of which shows the train climbing my 36 inch radius, 1 in 56 curved reversing loop.

 

http://youtu.be/qtH4WaLqO2o

 

I have not touched the space in the smoke box reserved for the DC chip. Neither have I tampered with the front bogie spring which from experience with other Bachmann models could well be lifting the front pair of driving wheels. For the moment it works for me.

 

Some more pictures of Bachmann coaches:

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Bachmann Mk1s and Portholes

Finally an attempt at a panoramic shot showing two six coach semi fast trains.

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Panarama?

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steve22

Some intricate work there, although I guess that you enjoy the challenge and the seeing the result?  I always enjoy your videos which show the result. 

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  • RMweb Gold
Mikkel
  • RMweb Gold

Lovely rakes. The Baby Scot seems to be coping well.

 

I like the ganger's trolley by the signal box. What is the source of that, please?

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Silver Sidelines

Hi Mikkel

 

I wish I had more time to add the little details - like those on the Farthing Layout - they add fun.

I like the ganger's trolley by the signal box. What is the source of that, please?

I still have the packet - Cooper Craft - off that well known auction site.

 

I see I have a few platform trolleys still to make up - not to mention finishing off the platform.

 

Speak again

 

Regards

 

Ray

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John Tomlinson

It may be of interest that the Bachmann Mk1's include a metal weight of around 30g. I removed the ones in my Mk1's without any loss of running quality and with some help to my more moderate locos in climbing inclines with their trains! Presumably the other vehicles mentioned are also weighted by their manufacturers to some extent?

 

Ray, I've duplicated this comment on your Flickr site - a  very helpful topic for you to raise.

 

John.

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Silver Sidelines

Hello John

 

As usual thanks for the contribution. Yes I had thought about removing the Mk1 weights - some of my weights appear quite well stuck. Yes the Staniers have accessible metal weights. I have not been inside the Porholes - they are very delicate as others on RMweb have noted. However the pinpoint axles run in copper cups (in preparation for coach lighting?) and mine are remarkably free running - if a little low down!

 

Speak again

 

Ray

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John Tomlinson

The Bachmann Mk1 weights seem to vary in the tenacity of their glue! I found the first batch or so of the maroon ones were very difficult to remove, worse still the three screws in the chassis that need to be undone had been tightened very hard and in one or two cases needed to be drilled around. Later batches seem less of a problem.

 

I did like the pictures and video of the carmine and cream examples, they look really great behind the Patriot.

 

Best wishes,  John.

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Silver Sidelines

Hi John

 

Over tight screws - I had to reattach the glazing in one of my recent acquisitions.  Eventually turned the offending screw by gripping the barrel of the screwdriver with a large pair of pliers whilst pressing down on the handle to keep the blade engaged in the screw head.  I am wondering if they could have been assembled whilst the plastic was still warm?

 

Regards

 

Ray

... worse still the three screws in the chassis that need to be undone had been tightened very hard and in one or two cases needed to be drilled around. .

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  • RMweb Gold
Mikkel
  • RMweb Gold

Hi Ray, thanks for that, didn't know Coopercraft did one of those. Now if only they were also interested in actually selling their products!

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Silver Sidelines

Hello Mikkel

 

I am sure he must do sacks or hampers - love your barrels.

.......didn't know Coopercraft did one of those. Now if only they were also interested in actually selling their products!

Here is the link  to their website - but in big red letters it would seem to indicate that all is not well with the production line.  I must pay more attention to eBay.

 

Regards

 

Ray

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danstercivicman

I have similar issues- I run an 8 coach rake of Bachmann BR Mk 1's and man they are heavy!   I have added weight to alot of my older Bachmann locos- but the Hornby Paviland Grange has zero pulling power! 

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Silver Sidelines

Hello Dan

 

As John Tomlinson (above) says - you can always remove the weights from the Mk1s.  That is what I did with my old Lima coaches.  Somehow the Bachmann coaches seem too good to be tearing apart.

 

Anyway the Grange - can I point you in the direction of an earlier Blog which might offer some guidance.

I have similar issues- I run an 8 coach rake of Bachmann BR Mk 1's and man they are heavy!   I have added weight to alot of my older Bachmann locos- but the Hornby Paviland Grange has zero pulling power! 

Speak again

 

Regards

 

Ray

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RonnieS

Great Ray,

 

Very similar weight mods to me 'cept I threw away the Bach weight in the smokebox but replaced the DCC facility plug with a lump of lead.

 

I think with time your Patriot will improve. It's those plated wheels!  I read a MRJ article where a guy changed the Bachy wheels for Ultrascale ones on a pannier and with no other mods gained 3 coaches on max load! My Patriot now pulls 12 coaches but after the mod it was 10 for a while.My 455xx is heavier than yours @365g and I have no gradient but my coaches average bit more than yours too.

 

If we didn't have to "tweak" stuff this hobby wouldn't be half as interesting.

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Silver Sidelines

Thanks Ronnie

 

Useful advice as ever.  Twelve coach trains that is some load and some layout?

Very similar weight mods to me 'cept I threw away the Bach weight in the smokebox but replaced the DCC facility plug with a lump of lead.


If we didn't have to "tweak" stuff this hobby wouldn't be half as interesting.

Yes the Patriot is cavernous.  I tried to follow the 'rule' and keep the centre of mass over the driving wheels.  I suspect that as long as the rear wheels are still in contact with the rails, the more weight the merrier.  After it has 'slipped' up my gradients a few times you might think that the plating would be wearing off!

 

As you say it all makes the hobby more challenging.

 

Speak again

 

Ray

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RonnieS

Although until a couple of years ago I was involved with huge exhibition layouts (Leighford, Stoke Summit et al) currently I just have a test track. Even so I can run 12 coach trains. However they do  almost catch up with themselves. All set to change with a house move imminent A new layout won't be long!

 

Incidentally Tony Wright tested The Hornby P2 on 23 coaches! I must pop up and have anther play on 

 Little Bytham-
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Silver Sidelines

Thanks Ronnie for the little bit of history and the links.  I have been to 'Stoke Summit' before - really superb. 

 

I keep wondering about grass and cannot bring myself to spend too much money.  Did you use static grass and a proper applicator?

 

Although until a couple of years ago I was involved with huge exhibition layouts (Leighford, Stoke Summit et al) currently I just have a test track. Even so I can run 12 coach trains. However they do  almost catch up with themselves. All set to change with a house move imminent A new layout won't be long!

 

Incidentally Tony Wright tested The Hornby P2 on 23 coaches! I must pop up and have anther play on 

 Little Bytham-

 

In a past life we spent 12 months or was it two years in Eccleshall - a lovely area to live - just a rubbish job!  Other than that we seem to live in more remote locations and I have to teach myself.

 

Speak again

 

Regards

 

Ray

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