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Much duffage

Timara

Entry posted by Timara

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Had to start somewhere I guess, so here goes. The humble 47, maid of all work. I'm not a massive fan of these locos, but in my modelling period, they're a necessity.

 

For the 4mm modeller, there isn't really a "definitive duff" out there. Close, yes, but not "bang on". I think we can discount the rather heavy and wide Heljan 47, much as people seem to like it. It's wrong in more ways than just the width!

 

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As far as the body is concerned, the ViTrains body is just about spot on, with a couple of very minor niggles that can be fixed in no time. I'm not so keen on the chassis though, particularly the fact it rides far too high and the bogie frames (although very crisply moulded) just don't look right. Here's a pic of a Vi bogie above a Bachmann bogie. Neither scream out to me.

 

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Almost all the 47s I'll ever require have life-extended modifications, which means that using a cheap Bachmann 57 chassis is a bit of a win. They crop up on ebay from time to time or you can pick one off the Bachmann returns stand at Warley/Ally pally if you must and then either flog the body on ebay or use for weathering techniques.

 

Inspired by Jim Smith'Wright's Bachmann 47 some while back, I've also gone down the route of adding modified Heljan bogie frames to the Bachmann bogies. The improvement is rather marked and definitely worth the effort.

 

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Aside from the modifications to the Vi body to allow fitment onto the 57 chassis (more in another topic later) the only major mod has been to the paintwork, in this instance repainting the windscreen surrounds and cab doors in black (they were originally RES grey). Just needs a set of Shawplan laser cut windows (hint Brian) and the handrails fitting on this side. Various other detailing hasn't been done, yet.

 

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Hoping to get this one finished fairly soon so that I can get a few more important items of stock finished off......

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NickL2008

Snap tim, im doing exactly the same chassis swap for my Vi 47 currently .. I think the only trouble ive had is making sure the alignment of the bogies is correct so the steps are undernath the cab doors. I think also Heljans bufferbeams finnish the conversion off quite nicely .. and it gets rid of having the bufferbeam as part of the body moulding which ive never been a fan of ..

 

NL

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Tigger

Very interesting as I have 2 Royal Duffs that I am working on. Looking forward to the next part

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Timara

Nick: I can see where you're coming from, but the whole being of the bufferbeam on the Bachmann chassis was so it could take the strain when a decent screw shackle was installed. That and the metal buffers supplied are very nice indeed and have that flat face on them which so many after-market buffers just don't have! It didn't take much to cut the sides away though!

 

The steps aren't a major issue for me, though I'll be interested to see how you've done yours, just in case it's not such a faff to do as I can see it being!

 

T

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James Hilton

This is quite a combination, definitely all the best bits, and it's looking great. I'd not really thought about such a major bash, I was just going to use a Vi straight for my planned RfD euro one. Hmmm interesting. Look forward to seeing complete shots!

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Timara

Thanks James. Second bogie is now complete, so it's now a case of waiting for the windows to arrive from Brian once he's done them. Will add another view of the modified chassis above later.....

 

As it happens, I do plan to do an RfD euro one soon. Also tempted to do the hybrid that was 47565. Only one end got the bufferbeam crib rails cut away. Good job I have a couple of spare #1 end cabs.....cool.gif

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NickL2008

Its not too hard to do, The Vi beam removed, and then the Heljan one glued in its place. The only thing that requires fettling is, the Bachmann chassis frame to the Vitrains body, looking forward to seeing more

 

NL

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Timara

Ah right. Bit different from what was done here then! The biggest problem I've found with the Heljan beam fronts is that they're a bit lacking in depth. Added to the fact that the side framework lacks certain bits that the Bachmann ones have, it didn't need much pondering as to what worked.

 

Next job is to sort out a way of fixing body to chassis as currently it's just plonked on. May well find a way of adding some plasticard lugs to the chassis to allow the original clips to engage.

 

ETH gear is being added to both ends, along with screwlink couplings.

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