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Re: Botch Idea

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:16 pm
by Dasher
I've done a little more work on the bogies today. The difference in ride height is actually 1.7mm and so I've cut 1.5mm plasticard spacers - 26mm x 30mm and these sit in the space between the moulded guide lines (the ones meant for the SS16 axle blocks) very nicely. A couple of things that I have had to think about that are worth noting. If the intention is to drop the chassis floor into the coach as per the original design then you have to watch the overlap of the bogie as if placed too far forwards the bogie will likely foul the end panel when in a curve . (the coach end panel carries the buffer and therefore extends down past the coach sides and is therefore deeper with respect to the floor/chassis). Using the WW1 type of bogie will avoid this problem but brings its own with it - namely a likely need to chop off the bottom of the coach ends (and probably the sides too)! At the moment I'm looking at the bogie pivot point being 46mm inboard of the end of the floor/chassis.

Coming inboard so as not to foul the coach end panel brings a new problem - the bogies will now foul the chassis stiffening bars. As these are up inside the coach I've got around this by carving away the inside edge of the stiffening bar. It will not be visible once on the track.

I can see how fitting the WW1 bogies would be, as Rob says, a challenge. It would probably be easier to work on the chassis than the coach sides and ends. You'd probably need to build some boxes to then mate the bogies to. I don't have a WW1 bogie and so can't comment further on how easy this would be.

Re: Botch Idea

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2019 5:54 pm
by Dasher
I have positioned and mounted S16 Standard Bogies onto an S16 Standard Four Wheel Chassis. I've temporarily taped on a couple of S16 Mk2 buffers and pushed it around the track using a GRS Diesel. It wasn't coupled. I can confirm that it will run around both 2'6 and 38" Peco radii (at least 180 degrees of curve). The buffers maintain front face contact with each other throughout the curve and the chassis themselves do not come into contact with each other at any point. The bogies are mounted on the chassis longitudinal centre line and are 47mm from the chassis end.

It will be a while before they see a body as I need warmer weather in order to paint them!

Re: Botch Idea

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2019 7:29 pm
by invicta280
47mm in from chassis end. Handy to know. I'm planning the same thing.

Re: Botch Idea

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2019 8:05 pm
by Dasher
invicta280 wrote: Sat Feb 02, 2019 7:29 pm 47mm in from chassis end. Handy to know. I'm planning the same thing.
You will need to shave the insides of the strengtheners to run 47mm back as it just fails to clear. It is only a shave of the inner surfaces though - you can't see it from the normal viewing point. Making a card template helps. The image was taken before I cut the spaces for the chassis strengtheners - once this is done the template sits flat (tish). I think that the pivot screw will need a touch of superglue to hold it fast in the bogie. The bogie tension needs to be just right and just after one circuit all mine had moved.

It's pretty easy to do - and nice to know that it works as it was very touch and go. Any further back than 47mm and the strengtheners really get in the way, and also the body of the first coach will touch the following one on overhang. 0.5mm forwards and the coach end gets in the way - so 47mm is critical.

If you are making up more than a pair of bogies then build a jig for attaching the sides. Getting them to sit square is a test of patience. I'm going to pin the next two sets that I still have to build.

Re: Botch Idea

Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2019 7:45 pm
by SpudUk
Since starting this conversation I've noticed that both Bowaters Models and HGLW have announced Ashover coaches in their new ranges being launched at Peterborough

Re: Botch Idea

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 11:34 am
by Dasher
I thought that I'd update this thread as, finally, I have completed my Swift Sixteen Coaches (4 wheel standard coaches modified with SS16 bogies) and can confirm that, although space is tight, it is possible to fit these and they do work well. There is no problem getting them around at least a semi circle of Peco 2' 6" radius standard curves.

They will also traverse back to back points, both forwards and in reverse.

Re: Botch Idea

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 2:20 pm
by Andrew
Glad they work well - they look great too! I really like short bogie carriages...

All the best,

Andrew.

Re: Botch Idea

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:53 pm
by Dasher
Thanks Andrew, I learned a huge amount from doing these, my first coach kits. The low resolution flatters them! The windows will be coming out and replaced but apart from that I'm very happy. The SS16 kits are super to work with. I have put extra lugs on the coach body for the floor/chassis to sit on as relying on the step hangers seemed a little risky. They run really well - a little more 'wobbly' than the fixed axles would be but they look solid and roll very free. The bogies don't look out of place at all - I can thoroughly recommend this mod for anyone who runs tight radii as it actually allows for these coaches to be used!

Re: Botch Idea

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 11:50 am
by SpudUk
These look great Dasher - maybe I'll have to give it a go afterall

Re: Botch Idea

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 11:08 pm
by IanC
I like the Swift Sixteen coaches and those have turned out well.