No.55 DMUs – Close coupling and corridor connectors for Bachmann Types

Following my posts dealing with Collett and Hawksworth coaching stock I am moving forward a few years to talk about Bachmann DMUs, Class 108, 105 and Derby Lightweight.


Location – location!!!



When I acquired my first Bachmann Class 108s I immediately set about closing up the gap between the units.  The Bachmann 108s have sprung buffers and it is possible to draw the two coaches together such that the moulded corridor connections are almost touching yet still allowing the unit to negotiate relatively tight curves.

As bought (bottom) modified (top)



The solution that I adopted was to replace the Bachmann couplings by a plain bar filed down from a 30mm long piece of code 100 nickel silver rail.


Original Couplings (top), modified coupling bar (middle), 30mm length of Code 100 nickel silver rail



The nickel silver rail is filed down so that it is a force fit into the original Bachmann Coupling Pocket.  The 30mm length works on my layout with Peco Medium Radius points.  If the curves were smaller radius then the units would need to be gently eased further apart.  If the minimum radius was larger then conversely the rail could be pushed further into the coupling pockets.  This modification is straight forward and totally reversible should the units need to be sold.



The Bachmann Cravens (Class 105) also have sprung buffers and the same approach can be used.




Class 108 (bottom) Derby Lightweight (top)



When Bachmann introduced their Derby Lightweight Units I tried the same approach – however I missed the fact that the buffers were not sprung.  As can be seen in the above picture, replacing the couplings with a fixed bar still leaves a massive gap if the units are still to negotiate 36 inch curves.


27mm high, folds at 8,8,10.5,13,13,13,10.5,8,8mm and indents 2.5mm top and 1.5mm bottom



One solution is to fill the gap with corridor connectors.  My first attempt was to make connectors to the dimensions I used earlier for the Bachmann Collett coaches.  This was not a good idea.  The moulded plastic connectors on the Derby Lightweight units are relatively narrow.  I have suggested some more appropriate dimensions beneath the picture above.


Ready to push the units together



Class 108 (bottom) Derby Lightweight Finished (top)




Ready to Depart?


Close Up

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

No.123 Chocolate and Cream and BR1s – the Replica Railways Restaurant Buffet

Image
This Post describes some modifications that I have made to a Replica Railways BR Mk1 RB. Previously i have modified the Mainline Maroon RB by fitting Finecast glazing, wire handrails and Bachmann close coupling mechanisms. I promised myself that I would do the same for the chocolate and cream Replica BR(WR) RB. Success! Replica Railways BR(WR) Restaurant Buffet on BR1 Bogies First task - find a suitable coach! Replica Railways Mk1 RB from around 1992 Models are bit like London buses. When I first started looking for a BR(WR) RB there didn’t seem to be any around and eventually my coach came from Australia. Then suddenly there were lots available here in the UK. On opening the box I was surprised to discover that Replica had painted the solebars chocolate to match the lower body panels – why? Was someone confused by the blue solebars ion the blue and grey version? They should be black and they can be over painted with new transfers added from the P...
Read more

No.98 The Peco Streamline 3 Way Point.

Image
The Peco Streamline 3 Way point is an extremely useful space saving device. This Post is prompted because I had to sort out a couple of problems with the installation of my own three way point. I was also aware that other modellers   were finding difficulties with the operation and installation of their 3 way points. The design of the point is symmetrical and has the appearance of a LH point being placed directly on top of a RH point. As a consequence the construction of the point is quite complex and the point requires careful handling especially during installation. When first marketed by Peco the point was only available with ‘Insulfrog’.  The view below shows my first ‘Insulfrog’ point but reinstalled on my second layout. Peco Code 100 3 Way Insulfrog Point – the Park View Layout 1990s The big advantage of the ‘Insulfrog’ point is that it does not require any separate electrical switching and hence is suitable for manual or simple mechanical operation. My...
Read more

No. 152 Remotoring a Hornby Q6

Image
With all the rain outside putting a stop to gardening I have been grounded and have used the opportunity to tackle some longstanding issues.  Hornby first released their Q6 models in June 2016.  Having being raised in Middlesbrough I had to take delivery of two versions, an Early Emblem and one with a Late Crest.  They were tested and given a run around the layout before being stored away to make room for some BR (WR) trains. Q6 63443 Hornby R3425 February 2018 and Hornby released a further Early Emblem version.  I dug out my two original models and ran all three together.  It soon became obvious that one of the first models, number 63443, was a much slower runner.  On handling the model I was shocked to realise just how hot the bodyshell had become around the motor.  With further running I could well imagine melting the smokebox. Some research showed a problem with Hornby motors of a similar vintage.  My engine was too old to return for a ...
Read more