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Working with what you've got...


James Hilton

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Are aftermarket components any better then what can be achieved by fettling off the shelf products? I'm not convinced. The air horns on my Bachmann 37 are a good example.

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Plenty of firms (A1 and Markits spring to mind) offer turned brass air horns for the model. I think people think that it must be better, otherwise why would someone have produced it? Yes they may be more robust, and I've definitely seen them added to a model to good effect. However, I'm cheap!

 

The Bachmann moulding actually looks pretty good. A nice shape, fine detail at the non-horn end (that needs to be added to the brass aftermarket ones anyway!) and fairly robust to minimum handling. I wondered what could be achieved with a mini drill!

 

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Answer? Something pretty good I think! The secret is to start with a very small pilot hole and slowly increase drill bit size. I started with a 0.3mm drill, then a 1mm drill, then used a reaming bit to open up the tip a little. All using my Mini-craft drill powered from my old H&M Clipper controller to adjust the speed. These will look fantastic with just a lick of paint.

 

In addition I've also attempted to fettle some of the other details that come in the bag. Bachmann are really lagging behind Heljan, ViTrains and Hornby when it comes to the quality of the air and vacuum brake hoses it provides with it's models! On the 37 you also have a multiple working cable that is very thick indeed. I've modified the plug end with a file and knife to reduce it's height and add a rounded back side, and then sliced off the original hose. I then used a 0.3mm to drill a pilot hole before nerve-wrackingly drilled the 1mm hole to accept a replacement hose. This is still overscale but I couldn't find anything flexible that was smaller diameter - in fact this wire is from the inside of a USB cable - found after stripping down old headphones, mobile headsets and all sorts in the search for a fine wire!

 

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Anyhow - it looks ok, better than the original. You can see the difference in this picture, the original Bachmann hose is on the blue 37 in the back (the plug end has been modified), with the modified one on the green 37 at the front. Comments and questions are welcome!

 

I'd also ask you to follow me on Twitter for more regular updates.

 

6 Comments


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37013 looks good as does 37411.

A nice modification that I will probably do to my fleet now.

 

 

Will a 37013 be featuring again since the old site is unaccesible?

 

Lukas

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Wait until you see the photos of her now Lukas! Finished one end and it looks fantastic. I'll get some snaps on Paxton Road this week of her and 37013.

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37013 looks good as does 37411.

A nice modification that I will probably do to my fleet now.

 

 

Will a 37013 be featuring again since the old site is unaccesible?

 

Lukasz

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Sorry double post. Will look forward. I may do 37077 since its just been cut up. It seems locos I model recently get sold or disposed of.

My two favourite 37's 057 and 077 have both been disposed of as far I know of.

 

Lukasz

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077 is tricky as Bachmann don't do a modern 37/0 split headcode with the other cantrail grilles (077 has the ones with a dividing bar).

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Maybe I will do 37055 or indeed 37013 could be on the cards.

The idea of a faded mainline 37 has always appealed to me.

 

Lukasz

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