Chassis kit for Bachmann 04 Shunter

[Tony Davis]

Does anyone know if there is a replacement chassis kit available suitable to fit in a Bachmann 04 shunter? I bought a split chassis version "untested" from Ebay and it is definitely not working. I need to do some work on the body and thought I might try my hand at building a chassis kit instead of trying to get a replacement split chassis.

 

Tony

[newcastle_central]

High level do a kit for the Class 03 that states it is also suitable for middle and later 04s. Their chassis kits are excellent (happy customer).

 

Jonathan

 

www.highlevelkits.co.uk

[£1.38]

Branchlines do a chassis kit for the 04

[Tony Davis]

Thanks chaps, now another question;

 

As I have never built a chassis kit before, which of the two is less likely to cause frustration?

 

Tony

[Horsetan]

On the face of it, the Branchlines one - it has far fewer parts in it, and doesn't include a gearbox.

Edited May 8, 2017 by Horsetan

[Tony Davis]

Thanks, I've asked for a Branchlines catalogue.

 

Tony

[Gordon A]

The High level kit may be more detailed but it includes a custom designed gear box and gears.

 

Gordon A

[Porcy Mane]

The Branchlines chassis could give problems due to the drivecrank rod centres being set for use with Romford wheels. If you plan to use non prototypical Romford wheels than all will be OK. becaus you hace to drive the crank via the coupling rods, you are basically building an 0-8-0.

 

With the High Level chassis the drive crank rotates in time with the driving wheels but  is driven by the in-built gearbox, the coupling rods not being connected to the drive crank. This gives you more choice of wheels to use and makes setting up and quartering less work. The H/L chassis is built as an 0-6-0.

 

This video illustrates how the coupling rods rotate without being connected to the drive crank which I left out for the demo:

 

Edited May 8, 2017 by Porcy Mane