Ian Kirk 8844 LNER Diagram 2 First with MJT bogie adaptation

[4608]

Working on Ian Kirk 8844 LNER Side Corridor 7 compartment full 1st coach.  Whilst the kit claims to be appropriate for Diagrams 1 and 2 it really seems to best represent DIA 2 carriages.  I chose a GN routes version which makes it number 4151 only.  Problem: this coach had 8’ 0” Gresley bogies which I take not to be the heavy ones.

 

So, start with MJT CCU 8’ wheelbase and 8’ 6” Gresley standard cosmetic bogie.  Take out 1 mm each end from the point where the inner edge of the wheel rims would be, epoxy the three parts to the CCU and fill the gaps with Milliput.

 

 

Now, MJT CCUs have for some come unsoldered against one side when in use as the central brass rod joint to one side flexes and breaks.  My fix is to set this up with the rod soldered to one side as normal but made longer to just pass through the other side (with the cosmetic frame drilled slightly to take this extension).  A small piece of brass tube about 2mm long is cut to be a good fit over the brass rod and this is threaded onto the rod on the extended side outside of the central pivot.  It is then epoxied (or soldered) in position as in the photo so that the one side of the CCU, thus held in place, can flex without there being any twist forces.  Potentially this approach could be a fix for unsoldered CCUs if a tight tube fit can be found that would not only hold the CCU together as described but also provide a secure fit for an extension to the rod through the side as described above.

 

 

I do not like the “popper” attachment on MJT bogies.  I use 1/8th brass rod with a 10BA nut filed down and fixed inside it as the underframe bogie mounting attached to the body of the coach.  A 10BA bolt, with washer soldered to it, passes through the CCU into this with the washer filed down on one side to allow it to pass under the central rod and with a piece of brass wire soldered across the bolt slot to allow it to be turned into position.  Photos should make this clear.  Alternatively, drill a hole in the brass tube attached to the carriage floor and pin with a tapered brass pin or a tie of fine fuse wire

 

 

Edited March 31, 2022 by 4608

[4608]

Hope this approach is useful for others.

 

I took a chance on the position of the end roof ventilators, water filler cap and handrails on this coach.  Like DIAs 1, 8, 23, 115, etc the toilets were to one side at the ends and I suspect that the ventilator and filler cap were offset from the centre line.  Mike Trice shows the filler on the centre line with the end ventilators offset towards the toilet for diagrams 23 and 115 and this is what I have done.  Photos of coaches show this and also everything in line.  Additionally, both filler cap and ventilator offset in opposite directions can be seen.  Sometimes you just have to take a guess.

 

Anyway, here is the finished result.  Compartment side and corridor side, interior and roof arrangement.

 

 

 

 

 

Couplings are Kadee #711.  Pictures are black and white, mirrors square as hopefully befits a 1920s vehicle, smoking seats green leather and non-smoking blue cloth, darkened teak interior woodwork.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 31, 2022 by 4608