fozzy280472 Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Hi guys , ive just bought a very reasonably priced blue/grey Bachmann 4CEP from a large box shifter , now i know the motor bogies were the same for the units life but i can remember the units having commonwealths for the other non powered bogies, my question is would it be prototypical to fit them to this unit and if so are they a relatively straight swap , i just prefer the look of commonwealths on mk1 stock !!!! thanks in advance for any help , regards Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastwestdivide Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Before refurbishment, basically those from 7154 upwards had commonwealths. 7153 being the prototype for refurbishment, also had them, but before it was refurbed, I don't know if it belonged to the batch with or without. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted September 16, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 16, 2011 This page http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/histfeat/brfleet_cep.html gives some history of the units. Commonwealth bogies were applied to the Phase 2 units, so your unit number may govern your decision, or you may want to renumber to Phase 2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kintbury jon Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 John Upton fitted Commonwealths to his 4CEP, maybe worth asking him. I need to do the same with my one but haven't got round to it yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastwestdivide Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Lot of CEP fans around this morning! That link from olddddddddudders above says of 7153 that "Double glazing with hopper ventilators " was installed, but if 7153 got hopper windows, it was much later, as my 1985 photo of that unit shows the old sliding ventilators still fitted. (photo cropped and lightened to show the bogie detail) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugsley Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 As is already noted, you can fit Commonwealths to your CEP, but it's not a straight swap. There was an article in the March 2011 edition of Model Rail that extensively covered the work required to undertake the conversion, ISTR that it's not a job for the faint hearted! HTH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kintbury jon Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 7153 never received hopper vents even after its renumber to 1500 and repaint into Jaffa Cake Livery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozzy280472 Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 Hi chaps, thanks for all the replies so far , especially the photo from eastwestdivide. I think maybe i will have to dig out the model rail article and see whats involved before taking the plunge, i should imagine theres pick up equipment to be swapped around etc...... cheers chaps regards paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
retbsignalman Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Hi! The conversion isn't too difficult......it was all a bit of trial and error when I did the conversion for the article! It is worth remembering that you won't be able to have the electrical connections throughout the unit if you follow my method of Heljan bar couplings between the cars. If however you do follow that method, you'll only have to fit pick ups to two Commonwealths! I was concerned about the converted vehicles wobbling, but the whole unit is wobble free and happily negotiates complex trackwork. On the 'round tuit' list is the fitment of Kadee's (minus their tails) to replace the bar couplings. Just follow the article, take lots of time and you'll be fine! Cheers, Graeme Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozzy280472 Posted September 17, 2011 Author Share Posted September 17, 2011 Hi Graeme, thanks for the reply , i think i may well have a try on the conversion, as you say a bit of care and time /swearing should be all it takes!!!! i have started to look out for spare commonwealths on ebay. Once again thanks for the replies. regards Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertcwp Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 One notable differentiating feature apart from numbers and bogies is that the Phase II units did not have external tank filler pipes going up the vehicle ends onto the roof. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyddrail Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Phase 2 roof vents were ridge dome instead of shell I think, and by the 7200 number (approx) the cab route indicator boxes had the smallar window and the cab front widows had tappered tops where the outer edge follows the cab front profile. Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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