Kris - that bogie looks an improvement - probably runs rather sweet too.

I am also considering 3 links for freight...although I have less patience than Rich to be able to use a mini hook! My initial trials with the hood (using a small chain from a model boat shop) seem to be ok with hauling/pushing but I guess it relies on the buffers - did the buffers exist between the B sets that you can use as back-up? Pete

There certainly are buffers Pete, the problem that screw links have is they don't dip as a chain coupling does so in model form (without compressing buffers) you end up pushing on the screwlink. If you have the coupling close enough to allow for pushing on the buffers there is not enough slack to go round corners.

Understood Kris - thanks for the clarification - how's that extension coming on to Avonwick...Farmer Giles must be happy to have acquired some new land...or he is unhappy that the land that he had is now having a new railway line cut through it

 

Prototypically I'm pretty sure you should have gone for 7' bogies though. Sorry.

The E140's all ran with 7' bogies I agree but there was a later batch produced E145's these were essentially E140's but with 9' bogies.

Pete - The extension has stalled whilst I have been waiting for a few extra bits to show up, however Farmer Giles was pleased to find a nice little package on the door step when he returned from a few days away at the beach this afternoon.

Good timing on the coaches- I am looking at my b set now! Whilst not having to re-wheel them I was looking at the couplings too. I understand that B sets were usually left close coupled in the middle as a pair when in opperation. If this is your plan, why not simply use some model chain for the middle coupling and whatever type you like on the ends where your loco will go? This is cheap and easy and means you can just leave them together in a cassette when not in use.

Coaches were never* coupled with chain, it was not considered safe enough, and using chain means the coaches would consistently crashing into each other, much like loose couples wagons did / do. Most freight does not complain about this sort of ride, but passengers do. To get over this GWR coaching stock used screw link couplings. These allowed the coaches to be coupled at a fixed distance, so removing the shocks and jolts. Screw links have since been replaced with buckeyes and other similar couplings.

Whatever I end up using will be a fixed unit, I just haven't decided how I'm going to be doing it. In the mean time I have been creating some legs and doing a little track laying. More of this to follow tomorrow.

*well maybe on the earliest railways