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I have always liked the look of B4 bogies. In my modelling world I have decided to put B4 bogies under a rake of Bachmann RTR MK1 coaching stock. The main reason being that it is supposed to be used to represent a fairly up to date rake of 'rail tour' or 'short term hire stock' for both my son's layout and my layout. With this in mind I recently bought a number of Bachmann MK1 RTR coaches. 3 x Maroon SKs, 1 x Blood and Custard SK, 1 x Blue and Grey TSO (SO), 1 x Maroon RMB, 1 x Intercity BSK, 1 x Intercity TSO and an old Airfix MK2D F/O (minus 2 buffers and one bogie damaged). The SKs came with B1 bogies, the RMB, the BSK, I/C TSO and the Blue/ Grey TSO came with Commonwealths. I looked into buying enough Bachmann B4 spare bogies to just do a straight swop. However this became eyewateringly expensive at around £11 a pop. Considering all the coaches were second hand this averaged out at just under half the cost of each of the coaches. So I looked up alternatives and found a few posts on RMWEB where clever people have used Replica B4 Bogies under other stock. I would like to thank them for inspiring me to have a go. This is how it goes. This is how the Replica Bogie is supplied. I cut the coupling off. Then used a Bachmann B1 as a pattern and made a jig to cut of the end of the bogie where the coupling mechanism sits and is activated as the bogie turns. At the same time I cut out a square of 1.5mm styrene sheet and inserted it into the centre of the bogie. Next I cut out a piece of 1.5mm styrene with the round bogie pivot hole and the radius shape which allows the bogie to rotate a set distance. It is basically the shape of the head of a thistle. The original screws can be fixed through a hole drilled in the centre of the thistle shaped cut out. It is worth checking that there is a good fit during all the processes. I have now completed two pairs of bogies and have found they run really well and the ride height is good. I used Bachmann wheels that I had previously bought for wagons, not sure that they are the correct ones but they ride correctly and look correct. For my own personal preferences I used Revell Contacta Professional for the styrene and No Nonsense Super Glue as per Replica's advice. Others my choose to use other products, I chose these because I have had good results over the years. I hope that this has been of some interest to someone. Thanks again to those clever, talented people who previously posted on RMWEB and who have inspired me to have a go! Also a quick thanks to Replica who where very helpful over the phone when I was ordering and asking loads of questions. ATB Grizz......

It has taken a while but I now feel that the overall scene is looking a bit more like a busy urban coal yard. Details and carts are from langley or dart, most figures are Andy Staddens. Anyway, pictures speak louder than words so I’ll shut up. Something missing though……. Oh yes, the stock. So just for fun. Perhaps a lot of pictures, as ever helps me to see stuff this way.