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Class 47 detailing project. Conversion of Bachmann 47. "A P4 Brush 4". Part 3 - Contemplating my bogies

Jon020

Entry posted by Jon020

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This won’t be much more than a “this is where I’m at†posting because progress has been zilch since the last entry... the warm weather, building work, decorating, allotment and work hasn’t helped the situation... but still I’m at a bit of a holding point.

 

Having gone about as far as I’m going to go with the Bachmann 47 body (maybe some roof handrails beckon)... it was time to turn the attention to the underframe. Whilst I need to do some research on the fuel/water tanks, my initial focus was with the bogies. Yes they probably need some ride height reduction, but I was happy that once fitted with Ultrascale wheels these exhibited none of the rocking tendency that some of these suffer from. However, I wrecked some of the brake linkages when fitting the bogie frames back to the bogie body and really needed to work these (class 57 origin) bogies... so wondered whether there was a better option.

James had been really helpful in pointing out various issues and solutions (cheers James :good_mini:) and I acquired two pairs of Heljan frames to contemplate as these looked quite promising. These do have much crisper mouldings and are free of many of the errors of the early Bachmann ones... but they’re not perfect. Yes all the details are there, but some of the details have been added at the expense of the moulding shape, which I found a little disappointing to be honest. When I fitted these to the Bachmann bogies I also noticed that the distance between the axles was not quite the same... whether the Bachmann’s wrong or the Heljan’s wrong is probably irrelevant as I intended to keep the Bachmann workings... so more contemplation – picture shows my thoughts. Oh, and the bogie side frames are two pairs – so that’s a speedo pickup on each bogie .... really? :nea_mini:

Anyway, here's the Bachmann bogie (minus some brake gear)

blogentry-8351-0-29102800-1337967962_thumb.jpg

And here's the other Bachmann bogie with the Heljan sideframe

blogentry-8351-0-83116600-1337967972_thumb.jpg

Yes, I've been picky, I know!

 

There’s the offer of a fully sprung Bachmann bogie... and I will be seeking the demonstration of this at Railex tomorrow. Yes, despite the truly gorgeous weather, swmbo has decided that she wants to spend the day cleaning and tidying tomorrow... so we’re not going out on the bikes with the kids so ... I’m allowed to go to the show ... woo hoo.... could be an enjoyable day! :dance_mini: And I’m really looking forward to seeing some good layouts and exhibitors... and catching up with a few others. Early to the M25 I feel! Anyway, whilst I will look at these offerings, I’m of no expectation at being skilled enough to attempt them... but looking wont hurt... will it? :smile_mini2:

 

In the mean time, I contacted Bachmann (eventually – they don’t make it easy do they) and ordered some new bogie side frames – of the newer models so they should be a bit more accurate at least, although I suspect I’ll still need to change those awful springs!

 

Anyway... I’m still awaiting postie... and looking forward to learning tomorrow. That’s all for now. Time to get the kids up to the allotment to burn off some of energy – theirs not mine; I’ve none left!

 

Jon

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  • RMweb Gold
bcnPete
  • RMweb Gold

Enjoy the show Jon...I look forward to see your next move on this...

 

 

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NickL2008

Hi Jon-

 

Im doing the same detailing with the bogies on my Bachmann 47 .. The newer one is more "47 like" but still needs work on it but can be made into a good representation would like to see what you think of the cabs for the 47 model as the Bach ones are in half releif for the lighting

 

NL

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Jon020

Pete, the show was really good. The sprung bogies looked interesting; I'll see if I can manage it. Spare Bachmann bogies not arrived yet but some detailing will be undertaken. Quite taken by the 2mm stand but my eyesight wouldn't stand it... tempting though. Did see some pics of something that looked very interesting but we'lll have to see how that develops. Met loads of RMWebbers and others... felt enthused... could have spent much longer there - but had to head back to modify the roof bars for the other car and fit the roof box... then a coat of emulsion on both sides of the new wall...so quite a busy day (in 28degs heat),

 

Nick, I've ordered some "new" bogies frames so that should be a better start. I know what you mean about the cabs... their shallowness might prove problematic, but I thought that painting the floor a dark grey (not black) and then adding all the pipework on the rear bulkhead should draw the eye nicely... we'll see. No lighting in the cab of mine though.

 

Jon

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P.C.M

Hi Jon,

I have both early and late class 47s and apart from the class 57 loops on the early bogies there isn't much difference.

The brake linkage missing on each corner of the Bachmann bogies comes in the detail pack, there should be 8 but my early class 47s came with only 4. They are a sort of y shape and certainly improve the look of the bogie when fitted, though they aren't the best moulding. Pete Harvey etched steps might be worth looking at too.

I also extended the fine pipework running along the top of one side of each bogie as it stops to short at the ends. I think the early bogies had this both sides, so I removed it.

If you want a few pics to explain things better I will wack a couple on my layout thread.

 

Cheers Peter.

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Jon020

Peter, hi and thanks. I had a look in the pack and yes, I have 4 (early loco). PH steps will be considered once I get that far - still waiting on Bachmann bits I ordered - delivery a bit slow! The pipework would be a must, I agree... and yes it's not on both sides (but is on mine as they're early, wrong, ones)... to be sorted, or replaced. a few pics would be useful thanks... I'll keep an eye on your layout thread

Thanks.... Jon

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P.C.M

Hi Jon,

I have started a workbench thread in the detailing RTR section, i have posted some pics there for you. Hope you find them useful.

 

Cheers Peter.

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Jon020

Bachmann had to be chased for the parts I ordered; when I chased them 2 weeks after ordering the new bogies (they'd taken my money but not sorted it)... they admitted that they didn't know which ones I wanted. I explained that I wanted the ones fitted to the more recent models with the correct details rather than the wrong early (57 like) ones. I gave them serial numbers of recent 47s to work to... they accepted all of this and agreed to sort them out and send them. They arrived two days later - and they were the wrong ones... so I was a bit pieved on the basis that they'd not despatched due to not knowing what to despatch and once clarifed, they sent the wrong ones. Today I got the opportunity to phone them and seek clarification: they acknowledged what I'd asked for and what they'd done, I explained what I had asked for (that they said they would deliver) and then they stated that they were never given any of these to handle as spares so they can't provide any.

 

Confused..? I was.

 

So, if you have a "new" 47, don't loose the bogies or damage the frames as there are no spares at Bachmann.

 

They have offered me a refund but I do need bogie frames for the loco... so I''ll ponder this for a few days. I'm just a bit pieved that I was perhaps misled a little and that the knowledge of the staff was not quite what I would have expected. Leson learnt.

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