Combining a K's GWR Bulldog with a Bachmann Dukedog Chassis

[Garethp8873]

Recently I have acquired a Keyser GWR Bulldog kit. For a while now, I have been wondering whether it is possible to merge a Bachmann Dukedog's frame, chassis and tender with that of the Keyser Bulldog cab and body.

 

Before I go ahead and do this merger however, I wanted to know if anyone else has done this before?

[NCB]

Recently I have acquired a Keyser GWR Bulldog kit. For a while now, I have been wondering whether it is possible to merge a Bachmann Dukedog's frame, chassis and tender with that of the Keyser Bulldog cab and body.

 

Before I go ahead and do this merger however, I wanted to know if anyone else has done this before?

 

 No, I haven't done it. But what I have done is design and have etched a replacement chassis for a Blacksmith Dukedog in 3mm/ft. Here's a couple of snaps, one of the original prototype chassis under test and one of the finished article.

 

 

The relevance is that although it was designed for a Dukedog I did enough work to check that it would also be suitable for a Duke or a Bulldog.

 

So I'd say in principle your proposal could work. It's the detail of marrying the whitemetal body bits to the Bachmann chassis which is critical. I think you'd have to separate Dukedog body from chassis and then check such things as what you need from the K's kit (do you use the K's or Bachmann footplate etc) whether the thickness of the whitemetal creates clearance problems, and what differences in fixing body to chassis exist.

 

Nigel

Edited May 22, 2018 by NCB

[The Fatadder]

Following with interest as it is a conversion that I have often thought about doing myself,

[81C]

Rich are you having problems with quartering ? Markits have bought out new flycranks that you can quarter with ease

I've 2 K's Bulldog kits on the go and the chap who runs Roxey Moudings pointed  them out to me when I went to purchase

the old type they cost £7-8 an axle but might be abit more and you will need the correct micro tools the do them up, I'm in

the throws of getting rolling chassis for both models working the side frames need a bit of work to get all the parts to fit

together I'll post when there is something to look at.

 

Bob  

[Garethp8873]

I have now got hold of a Bachmann GWR Dukedog and an unassembled K'S Bulldog. Anyone know where I can numberplates and nameplates?

[The Great Bear]

Modelmaster?

[NCB]

King's Cross plates do some:

http://www.gcrsociety.co.uk/kingscrossplates.html

[Craigw]

Fox Transfers also do a good selection of Bulldog plates - as does 247.

 

Regards,

 

Craig

[Castle]

Hi Gareth,

 

If you are looking for something specific, then custom plates from Narrow Planet might be the answer? They are not expensive and offer a good service.

 

All the best,

 

Castle

[RJS1977]

TBH I'm quite surprised Bachmann haven't already brought out (or at least) announced a Bulldog - after all, they've already done all the development work for the chassis.

[88D]

TBH I'm quite surprised Bachmann haven't already brought out (or at least) announced a Bulldog - after all, they've already done all the development work for the chassis.

they will, once this project has finished. You read it here first

[NCB]

TBH I'm quite surprised Bachmann haven't already brought out (or at least) announced a Bulldog - after all, they've already done all the development work for the chassis.

 

Likewise they could also do a Duke.  Maybe the critical thing is that there's still a Dukedog in existence, but no Dukes or Bulldogs, so harder to ensure accuracy of the latter two. Think both would sell though.

[81C]

Rich are you having problems with quartering ? Markits have bought out new flycranks that you can quarter with ease

I've 2 K's Bulldog kits on the go and the chap who runs Roxey Moudings pointed  them out to me when I went to purchase

the old type they cost £7-8 an axle but might be abit more and you will need the correct micro tools the do them up, I'm in

the throws of getting rolling chassis for both models working the side frames need a bit of work to get all the parts to fit

together I'll post when there is something to look at.

 

Bob  

 

To add to my efforts to get one running I've put a Mainline 3500 gal tender top on to a Hornby Grange tender chassis which has pick ups

the whole lot will be connected via a micro 2 pin plug, at the moment I'm having problems with brand new DS10 motors DS13's have been

acquired so both loco chassis required a rebuild. 

[RJS1977]

Likewise they could also do a Duke.  Maybe the critical thing is that there's still a Dukedog in existence, but no Dukes or Bulldogs, so harder to ensure accuracy of the latter two. Think both would sell though.

 

The flip side to that is it's harder to criticise the model if people have nothing to compare it with!

[NCB]

The flip side to that is it's harder to criticise the model if people have nothing to compare it with!

 

That won't stop them!  There will always be people who will unearth some half-proven bit of information to prove you'd got it wrong.

 

If I was a manufacturer I'd be tempted to called my models "generic" examples of the type, and leave it to modellers to tweak if they wanted to. In the US Athearn had a line of diesels with basic body shells which modellers could detail and customise if they wished. A whole aspect of the hobby was dedicated to doing just that, with various companies providing the parts for doing it. Now it's all about providing the finished article based on particular prototypes. I think something has been lost.

[Craigw]

To add to my efforts to get one running I've put a Mainline 3500 gal tender top on to a Hornby Grange tender chassis which has pick ups

the whole lot will be connected via a micro 2 pin plug, at the moment I'm having problems with brand new DS10 motors DS13's have been

acquired so both loco chassis required a rebuild. 

 

You may or may not be concerned, but the cab sides were flared out to match up with the 3500 gallo tenders.

 

Regards,

 

Craigw

[81C]

You may or may not be concerned, but the cab sides were flared out to match up with the 3500 gallo tenders.

 

Regards,

 

Craigw

 

I haven't got that far with the bodies yet so it's not a problem, the other option is the tender tops from the kits I'll know when

I restart them in the winter what way I'm going to finish the builds, it's these damn DS10's that have halted the work.

 

 

Edit 15/07 After doing some research I found both locomotives I'm building have the flaired cab sides and 3000 gal tenders.

Edited July 16, 2018 by 81C

[Glyn]

I have built a K's Bulldog and Duke using Bachmann chassis it takes a bit of work and I ended up using the Bachmann boiler/smokebox/firebox on the Duke as the K's castings were so poor. 

[The Great Bear]

9 hours ago, Glyn said:

I have built a K's Bulldog and Duke using Bachmann chassis it takes a bit of work and I ended up using the Bachmann boiler/smokebox/firebox on the Duke as the K's castings were so poor. 

Looks good. This is something of interest to me. How easy was it to separate body from the chassis on the Dukedog? I suppose one has to saw the K's bulldog apart?

 

Cheers

 

Jon

[The Fatadder]

2 minutes ago, The Great Bear said:

Looks good. This is something of interest to me. How easy was it to separate body from the chassis on the Dukedog? I suppose one has to saw the K's bulldog apart?

 

Cheers

 

Jon

From memory I think the boiler/firebox assembly is screwed onto the cast footplate (much like the boiler on the modified hall). 

 

I keep thinking about this conversion, but still haven't got round to it (mostly because of the cost of buying a complete K's Bulldog just for its boiler.)  I know eventually Bachmann will end up doing a Bulldog, but its a shame no one has released a cast replacement bulldog boiler to allow an easier conversion for those prepared to do some modelling rather than waiting to open a box...

[The Great Bear]

9 hours ago, The Fatadder said:

From memory I think the boiler/firebox assembly is screwed onto the cast footplate (much like the boiler on the modified hall). 

 

I keep thinking about this conversion, but still haven't got round to it (mostly because of the cost of buying a complete K's Bulldog just for its boiler.)  I know eventually Bachmann will end up doing a Bulldog, but its a shame no one has released a cast replacement bulldog boiler to allow an easier conversion for those prepared to do some modelling rather than waiting to open a box...

 

I have toyed with drawing up something and printing on my 3d printer, but was struggling with the boiler dimensions, trying to work out what dimensions given meant; I think they were exclusive of the cladding? Once I've got my printer back working I might go back to this project.