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Bachmann LMS D2159, D2168 & D2170 'Porthole' review


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The "people" promptly started chipping away at this glowing review. Because the coach doesn't do what you want doesn't make it wrong

 

My only stated downside of these coaches was based on 3 axles falling out of their bearings on two coaches (2 axles on a CK and one on an SK) on lifting them from their packaging, all at the open end of the bogie. Now, as this seems to some to be "wading in with criticism of minor points", I'll simply say that all I want is for them to run, but if the bogie is incapable of supporting and retaining the axle at the open end, then its not going to allow for smooth running until corrected. Am I wrong for wanting the bogie design as has been executed to hold itself together? Its not like its a minor detailing error that can be brushed over, its caused by the design and/or poor assembly. The fix is easy, just realign the bearing strips so that they squeeze on the axles more positively, but it doesn't alter the fact that the bogie design could have been much simpler and more reliable, and has been on pretty much every coach produced until this point.

 

Otherwise my only criticism of them is that I can't afford as many of them as I want, and they're not available in maroon...yet.

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My only stated downside of these coaches was based on 3 axles falling out of their bearings on two coaches (2 axles on a CK and one on an SK) on lifting them from their packaging, all at the open end of the bogie. 

You were unlucky. It sounds as if the model has been dropped in its box in transit, hence the splaying of the open end of the bogie. I splayed mine out to test if it would take EM wheels and wished I hadn't as the darn thing has too much sideplay now no matter what I do.

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The liked the appearance of the Bachmann blood & custard once on the layout, so some cream was mixed to match although it still needs a touch more yellow adding. For red, I popped the coach down to our local supplier this morning and went through their car colour swabs before buying a tin of the colour. The closest red was chosen though I knew it would have to be darkened back home. Black was added in tiny amounts but it took some (GWR) brown to get it right. A 14 year old Ratio clerestory mock up body was the guinea pig.... 

 

post-6680-0-49993800-1405112173.jpg

Edited by coachmann
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Just out of curiosity what kind of paint are we talking about when referring to car colour?  A couple of years ago a friend asked me to build some coaches and got some LSWR Salmon (1906) mixed at a car painters.  This was cellulose.  I had planned to airbrush it but when I read the health advisories I got scared off.  I ended up mixing my own, using acrylic, which took ages to get even close.

 

John

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I've just received mine from Hattons at £33; good service.

 

Looking at the bogies the axleboxes seem a little shallow and measure 27mm, give or take, over them. I can't find drawing which gives the overall dimension full size. Does anyone else?

 

Regards

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Ah yes, I think I understand that.  I was thinking more of the type of paint, for example cellulose in the case above, or perhaps lacquer.  I'm accustomed to using acrylic and enamel and have a filter face mask (NOT a dust mask) for spraying and airbrushing.  From what I read, a filter face mask isn't adequate for cellulose.  I'd like to hear of others experiences.

 

John

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Ah yes, I think I understand that.  I was thinking more of the type of paint, for example cellulose in the case above, or perhaps lacquer.  I'm accustomed to using acrylic and enamel and have a filter face mask (NOT a dust mask) for spraying and airbrushing.  From what I read, a filter face mask isn't adequate for cellulose.  I'd like to hear of others experiences.

 

John

You can't get enough protection when using cellulose. It's nasty stuff! A proper paint booth with extraction would be ideal. As Larry has mentioned a double filter mask , goggles (as it is absorbed through tears) and latex gloves. Don't buy cheep masks when your health is concerned. I worked in a furniture polish repair shop for 6 months once and watched guys get sick and one guy even died from a brain tumor.  To tell the truth I'm amazed cellulose paints are still available to the general public! Of course the longer the exposure to the stuff the higher the risk.

 

Do like the blood and custard Ratio stock BTW Larry. There is a rake of those in my kit box and I might just half-inch your idea for something different!

 

Regards Shaun

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I was under the impression that cellulose based paints are now banned for all but specialist use. The Halfords spray paints seem to be acrylic based. Correction welcomed if I have it wrong!

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The LMS D2170 'Porthole' corridor third........ 

 

post-6680-0-01217700-1405358628_thumb.jpg

 

The 'Porthole' Brake Third coach differs from the D2159 Composite in having the LMS standard side and roof profile....

 

post-6680-0-88230200-1405358630.jpg

 

It has the usual pair of trussrods (the compo has four). The black line along the gutter is a neat authentic touch.....

 

post-6680-0-60237300-1405358632.jpg

 

The filler pipes to the roof are wire (no molded pipes here) while the time-honoured molded door handles will never break off.....

 

post-6680-0-94990500-1405358633.jpg

 

The curly intermediete door handles are accurately captured....

 

post-6680-0-87423300-1405358635.jpg

 

The two different profiles have been very well captured. Even the tops of the doors differ. Also the sides do not overlap the solebars on the corridor third. (The furthermost coach has had some modifications as outlined earlier in the thread, hence the differing buffer heights).

 

post-6680-0-36113300-1405363077.jpg

 

The D2170 Third and D2159 composite......

 

post-6680-0-31437200-1405363074_thumb.jpg

Edited by coachmann
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Hi. Just read that review of the TK. Now, sadly, unless it is my eyesight, the coach is higher in the middle than the ends, where it appears to be sitting-down on its bogies. I'm mentioning this in particular, for the TK, which I also have, is definitely afflicted in this way - on mine the ''bow'', which I have measured, is 1mm on mine. I wonder if this is a possible repeat of the first batch of the BR Mk1 GUV's - or Hornby's first batch of Stanier period lll corridor stock?

I'm considering contacting Bachmann about this issue and see what their response might be. It is a shame if there is a problem, for the TK, along with the other Porthole coaches, are very good models in spite of the bogie and ride height issues. Is there anyone else with this issue with the TK?

 

All the best,

 

Market65.

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The coach body is bowed, but I didn't mention it because it has afflicted many coaches over the years and is apparent in my images. Real coaches are also bowed though perhaps to a lesser extent.

Edited by coachmann
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Porthole 3rd benefits from a few speedy modifications the same as was carried out on the composite.....

 

20thou plastikard spacers between bogie and body to raise buffer height. 

Seats painted matt carmine red. 

Wheels blackened.

I did not spray the roof matt black however..........

post-6680-0-76473600-1405417358_thumb.jpg

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You can't get enough protection when using cellulose. It's nasty stuff! A proper paint booth with extraction would be ideal. As Larry has mentioned a double filter mask , goggles (as it is absorbed through tears) and latex gloves. Don't buy cheep masks when your health is concerned. I worked in a furniture polish repair shop for 6 months once and watched guys get sick and one guy even died from a brain tumor.  To tell the truth I'm amazed cellulose paints are still available to the general public! Of course the longer the exposure to the stuff the higher the risk.

 

Regards Shaun

Your very right Shaun as my brothers wives first husband used to spray N gauge locos WITHOUT any personnel protection whatsoever. He was a dentist and came home from work one Saturday and had a sleep before dinner. He never woke up. He was 34 years old. The post morton revealed a large quantity of lead in his blood (from the paint) and a brain tumor which had burst and killed him. The authorities weren't totally certain that the spraying of his models killed him but there was no other explanation as to the high quantity of lead in his blood.  So never ever skimp on PPE (Personnel Protective Equipment).

 

Roy. 

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Many people on this thread had decided to go over the coaches with a fine tooth comb. But out of the box will these coaches run on Peco code 100 track without derailing or do they need to be modified before they'll run satisfactorily.

I would like to know as I would like to buy a dozen of these coaches.

Also are there any brake thirds as Hattons doesn't have them.

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Many people on this thread had decided to go over the coaches with a fine tooth comb. But out of the box will these coaches run on Peco code 100 track without derailing or do they need to be modified before they'll run satisfactorily.

I would like to know as I would like to buy a dozen of these coaches.

Also are there any brake thirds as Hattons doesn't have them.

Whilst the coaches run beautifully there are some big discrepancies with the Hornby LMS coaches, The buffer Height is only 11.5 mm, 2.5 mm below the Hornby which is correct at 14mm. The bogies are ony 27mm across the axle boxes as against 34 for the Hornby. In addition the colours of the paintwork are faded compared to the Hornby ones. Running in a train of mixed LMS and mark one they look almost HO. I am not sure that by raising the body 2.5mm the roof lines would be level which leads me to wonder whether the body is to deep.

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The coach body is bowed, but I didn't mention it because it has afflicted many coaches over the years and is apparent in my images. Real coaches are also bowed though perhaps to a lesser extent.

 

Although the body is bowed, I think the camera settings have exaggerated it somewhat.

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