Bachmann LMS 50' BG - opinions

[matchmaker]

I'm planning to buy an LMS 50' full brake. Both Bachmann and Hornby produce RTR models. The Hornby one is more expensive, but I'd like any opinions about which is the best model. I'll be rewheeling it to EM, so it's the quality of the body and underframe which matters.

[Zunnan]

The Hornby model is by far and away the better model. The one failing of both models is the gangways.

 

The Hornby models chassis and bogies are to modern standards with a close coupling mech for good measure and it has the full bodyside beading, which can be partially removed to replicate these vans in later life. The Bachmann model has its roots in the old Mainline model, so the chassis is rather crude and the body is showing its age. Its not a bad model by any stretch, but I'd buy them second hand as siding fillers rather than pay brand new prices as you can readily obtain the original Mainline models for well under £20 at exhibitions. The Hornby model can also be found for decent prices s/h, but given its quality I'm less adverse to its higher price.

[Wheatley]

Agreed. The Hornby one is top drawer, I picked up both mine as remaindered bargains in my LMS but I don't know how often that happens these days. The Bachmann one is dimensionally accurate (I think) but of its time. Mine are earmarked for replacement Comet sides and chassis bits at some point, the Hornby ones will just get weathered. 

[matchmaker]

Many thanks for the replies. I'n going to Model Rail Scotland tomorrow so I'll take a look around.

[Steamport Southport]

Worth bearing in mind they are different diagrams. ISTR the Mainline version is a D1854 and Hornby's is a D2007.

 

The Hornby version has the panelling strips for the simplified lining. Whereas the Mainline/Bachmann was an earlier version where the coach would have been painted as a facsimile of "fully panelled" livery.

 

 

 

Jason

[Wheatley]

SS is right, some of the differences are down to variations in the real ones. For the other bits, here they are side by side:

 

Hornby in plain crimson with couplings, Bachmann in lined maroon without. Apart from the ropey rubber gangways the Bachmann one is actually better than I remember above the solebar. 

Edited February 26, 2022 by Wheatley

[Enterprisingwestern]

 

As layout coaches, both equally pass muster, the Bachmann and Mainline ones are a bit heavy in the paint department but weather up quite nicely.

 

Mike.

[Zunnan]

The Mainline/Bachmann 50ft BG does scrub up rather well, and that is helped greatly by the fundamentally sound body. It just needs those gangways dealing with and flush glazing, and replacing the moulded handrails around it isn't too hard. The chassis is its big let down thanks to the tooling being limited by its early '80s lineage, but that too can be readily fixed courtesy of Wizard. With some effort you can get the Bachmann model to stand toe to toe with the Hornby model.

 

For hacking and conversions into departmentals I do prefer the Mainline/Bachmann model, it can be bought very cheaply which means that mistakes aren't ever too costly.

 

edit~

 

Some of the earliest hack and/or repaint jobs I did was on the Mainline 50' BG, the TV and old PS2 should date this somewhat! Doing similar thesedays they get a 3 day dip in IPA to strip before repainting, which really does crisp up the moulded detail.

 

 

Edited February 26, 2022 by Zunnan

[The Johnster]

I have a Mainline (!) Stanier BG, which is the oldest model on the layout, and I would concur with the above comments; I am happy with the body tooling and the livery (BR crimson/cream), but things deteriorate a bit once you get below the solebars.  I have replaced the Mainline couplings and given it cast whitemetal buffers, the latter giving it a much better appearance, but the underframe is a weak point, and while the current Bachmann iteration of this model probably has better running bogies, it tends not to be my first choice when I am making up a parcels train, and I may well replace it if a Hornby comes my way at a decent price, but I am pretty well off for NPCCS, especially in relation to the needs of the layout (one short train a day and an occasional pigeon special), so it's a low priority project.

[Enterprisingwestern]

12 hours ago, The Johnster said:

I have a Mainline (!) Stanier BG, which is the oldest model on the layout, and I would concur with the above comments; I am happy with the body tooling and the livery (BR crimson/cream), but things deteriorate a bit once you get below the solebars.  I have replaced the Mainline couplings and given it cast whitemetal buffers, the latter giving it a much better appearance, but the underframe is a weak point, and while the current Bachmann iteration of this model probably has better running bogies, it tends not to be my first choice when I am making up a parcels train, and I may well replace it if a Hornby comes my way at a decent price, but I am pretty well off for NPCCS, especially in relation to the needs of the layout (one short train a day and an occasional pigeon special), so it's a low priority project.

 

Re the bogies.

I have now settled on re-bogieing (sic) my stock with Wizard/Comet etched brass components.

I think especially on a roundy round where the stock will put in some mileage it's the way to go, makes the coaches a lot more free running and therefore puts less strain on the locomotives.

 

https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/carriage/bb2e/

 

https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/carriage/bb1r/

 

Mike.

[Steamport Southport]

On 27/02/2022 at 08:31, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

Re the bogies.

I have now settled on re-bogieing (sic) my stock with Wizard/Comet etched brass components.

I think especially on a roundy round where the stock will put in some mileage it's the way to go, makes the coaches a lot more free running and therefore puts less strain on the locomotives.

 

https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/carriage/bb2e/

 

https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/carriage/bb1r/

 

Mike.

 

They're BR bogies though. You need LMS 9 foot rivetted for a BG. Later ones will be welded (post 1936).

 

https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/carriage/bm2e/

 

https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/carriage/bm2/

 

 

Jason

[Enterprisingwestern]

Just now, Steamport Southport said:

 

They're BR bogies though. You need LMS 9 foot rivetted for a BG. Later ones will be welded (post 1936).

 

https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/carriage/bm2e/

 

https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/carriage/bm2/

 

 

Jason

 

Just to clarify, I use the relevant wb bare etch, generally re-using the existing RTR sideframes if they're of merchantable quality, I'm not a Yorkshireman for nowt!

 

Mike.

[Wheatley]

You still need 9'0" etches though, BR1s were 8'6". Your axleboxes with be out of kilter with the wheels otherwise. 

[Enterprisingwestern]

9 hours ago, Wheatley said:

You still need 9'0" etches though, BR1s were 8'6". Your axleboxes with be out of kilter with the wheels otherwise. 

 

For gods sake man, let it go!

I was using those as an example, I said I use the relevant etch, I can copy the whole of the Comet range of etched brass coach bogies across if you'd prefer.

 

Mike.