RMweb Gold 46444 Posted November 10, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2015 As I alluded to on my blog earlier today I have one of the lovely Bachmann 64xx models in GWR green. Now like many others ideally I would have preferred one of the the non-auto fitted 74xx class. I've spent a while reading through the thread Mikkel started on the Bachmann 64xx weighing up the pros and cons of this model. It would appear it is suitable for earlier members of the class 6400-6429) from the early 1940's due to top feed and curved cab-bunker join. On later members of the class (6430-6439) the design of the cab was changed resulting in a right angle join for the cab-bunker and removal of the overhangs on the cab roof either end. This also became the design for the 74xx class. Here's an article discussing the differences from Russ Elliot http://gwr.org.uk/no-64xx.html So in theory to convert a 64xx to a 74xx am I right in saying the following work is required? 1. Removal of curved bunker-cab joint making a right angle join and making good the bead around the top of the bunker. 2. Removal of the overhanging lips on the front and rear of the cab. (This is the really tricky part but looks do-able with care. I've not taken the body shell off but it looks as if the rear of the cab is a separate fitting which could be removed. I'd imagine the front windows will pop out and lost rivet detail can be replaced with Archers rivet transfers. 3. Remove auto gear from buffer beam 4: Remove screw reverser and replace with lever. 5. Handrails on running plate above centre step. I understand the brake gear was different but could live with that. Here's a few reference shots including a good rear cab shot: 7424 Front: http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrbsh1273.htm 7424 Rear: http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrbsh2544.htm Has anyone actually tried this conversion yet or also considering it? Be interested in other peoples opinions of this modification too. Cheers, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Might it not be a possibility that Bachmann might later turn out the square cab/bunker join variant as well? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Might it not be a possibility that Bachmann might later turn out the square cab/bunker join variant as well? Why bother to wait when it looks an easy job? A friend of mine has done a couple already. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 46444 Posted November 10, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2015 Why bother to wait when it looks an easy job? A friend of mine has done a couple already. Chris That's good to hear Chris. Any pictures? Cheers, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted November 10, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2015 Try this blog, although there are others to chose from. https://tfmodelling.wordpress.com/ One should also be considering changing the 54xx size splashers for something a little smaller/ Geoff Forster is doing something about his new 74xx here. http://radnorailways.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-min=2015-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2016-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=38 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Mark, the tfmodelling blog is the one I had in mind. The issue of the splashers is one that Chris Gibbon may well be addressing in his High Level chassis kit, so I understand. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 46444 Posted November 10, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2015 Try this blog, although there are others to chose from. https://tfmodelling.wordpress.com/ One should also be considering changing the 54xx size splashers for something a little smaller/ Geoff Forster is doing something about his new 74xx here. http://radnorailways.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-min=2015-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2016-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=38 Hi Richard, Thanks for those links. The tfmodelling blog is superb with some rather special modelling. The blog itself is well written with excellent photos to boot. The conversion to 74xx looks fairly easy to be honest so I'm going to attack my 64xx in the near future. I need to check my books but I think NA had a 74xx so my luck's in! There is mention of the conversion appearing in an article in RM next year as well. Thanks one again. Really appreciated. Mark, the tfmodelling blog is the one I had in mind. The issue of the splashers is one that Chris Gibbon may well be addressing in his High Level chassis kit, so I understand. Chris Hi Chris once again. Thanks also. I'm going to leave the splashers well alone and be happy with the cab/bunker modifications. Thanks. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Pannier Tank Posted November 10, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 10, 2015 I need to check my books but I think NA had a 74xx so my luck's in! 7427 09/1950 to 03/1959 7445 09/1957 to 06/1959 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 46444 Posted November 10, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2015 7427 09/1950 to 03/1959 7445 09/1957 to 06/1959 Thanks David. 7427 was there in 1947 and Modelmaster do the number plates Cheers, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted November 11, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 11, 2015 Thanks David. 7427 was there in 1947 and Modelmaster do the number plates Cheers, Mark Have you seen a photo of this then Mark. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 46444 Posted November 11, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 11, 2015 Have you seen a photo of this then Mark. Hi Robin, I've not seen any photos but its listed as being allocated to NA in June of 1947 according to the Whitehouse & St John Thomas' book 'The Great Western Railway. 150 Glorious Years' I've seen photos of it later on in BR days I'm sure? I believe it was used as the works pilot. AndyM of this parish could certainly confirm this. Cheers, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy M Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Hi Robin, I've not seen any photos but its listed as being allocated to NA in June of 1947 according to the Whitehouse & St John Thomas' book 'The Great Western Railway. 150 Glorious Years' I've seen photos of it later on in BR days I'm sure? I believe it was used as the works pilot. AndyM of this parish could certainly confirm this. Cheers, Mark Hi Mark, The Newton Abbot 74xx's were routinely diagramed for trip freight work, Teignmouth, Teign Valley, Kingswear etc (funnily enough their intended use). Neither 7427 or 7445 were used for the 'Works Pilot' link, which was the domain of 1362 and later 1608. 7422 was also a Newton loco (May 1940 - May 1946) and there is a photo of it on page 50 of Pannier Papers No.7, dated 31 Aug 1945. Regards, Andy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 46444 Posted November 11, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 11, 2015 Hi Mark, The Newton Abbot 74xx's were routinely diagramed for trip freight work, Teignmouth, Teign Valley, Kingswear etc (funnily enough their intended use). Neither 7427 or 7445 were used for the 'Works Pilot' trip, which was the domain of 1362 and later 1608. 7422 was also a Newton loco (May 1940 - May 1946) and there is a photo of it on page 50 of Pannier Papers No.7, dated 31 Aug 1945. Regards, Andy. Thanks for clarifying this Andy. I got 7427 mixed up with 1608. Not sure how? Good to know they were well traveled in the area. Cheers, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 57xx Posted November 12, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 12, 2015 Might it not be a possibility that Bachmann might later turn out the square cab/bunker join variant as well? If you check the 64xx discussion thread in the Bachmann section, this was what was originally announced would be available. So they might do it in future or they might have canned the idea completely having already considered it and discarded it for whatever reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve fay Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Tom Foster has converted quite a few. With one on his work bench at the moment, he's done a very nice job as well. Unfortunately he's no longer on Rmweb. The main bits would be to remove all the auto gear and conduit and square up the bunker instead of the little curve, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted November 14, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 14, 2015 As I alluded to on my blog earlier today I have one of the lovely Bachmann 64xx models in GWR green. Now like many others ideally I would have preferred one of the the non-auto fitted 74xx class. I've spent a while reading through the thread Mikkel started on the Bachmann 64xx weighing up the pros and cons of this model. It would appear it is suitable for earlier members of the class 6400-6429) from the early 1940's due to top feed and curved cab-bunker join. On later members of the class (6430-6439) the design of the cab was changed resulting in a right angle join for the cab-bunker and removal of the overhangs on the cab roof either end. This also became the design for the 74xx class. Here's an article discussing the differences from Russ Elliot http://gwr.org.uk/no-64xx.html So in theory to convert a 64xx to a 74xx am I right in saying the following work is required? 1. Removal of curved bunker-cab joint making a right angle join and making good the bead around the top of the bunker. 2. Removal of the overhanging lips on the front and rear of the cab. (This is the really tricky part but looks do-able with care. I've not taken the body shell off but it looks as if the rear of the cab is a separate fitting which could be removed. I'd imagine the front windows will pop out and lost rivet detail can be replaced with Archers rivet transfers. 3. Remove auto gear from buffer beam 4: Remove screw reverser and replace with lever. 5. Handrails on running plate above centre step. I understand the brake gear was different but could live with that. Here's a few reference shots including a good rear cab shot: 7424 Front: http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrbsh1273.htm 7424 Rear: http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrbsh2544.htm Has anyone actually tried this conversion yet or also considering it? Be interested in other peoples opinions of this modification too. Cheers, Mark I'm going to do 1, 3, 4 and 5. I might do 2 later but I don't want to spoil the model. I might also remove what I think is some sort of battery box under the cab on the driver's side. I'm not going to worry about the splashers though. You might also want to consider whether your chosen loco at the time you are modelling it had "solid" front tank supports, as on the Bachmann model, or the "open" style. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
45568 Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Here is a link to Tom Foster's work on Modellers United, he does a rather good job of it!!! http://www.modellersunited.co.uk/tom-s-4mm-workbench-stock-for-cwm-prysor-t56-500.html Scroll down to see the 74xx Hope this helps. Cheers from Oz, Peter C. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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