Bachmann Coaches - possible prototypical matches

[IanT]

Following on from the "Troublesome Wagons" thread - John "suggested" we needed to seperate the 'wagons' from the 'coaches' so to speak. So here is another starter for 10.

Briefly, the 'modernised' Metropolitan Jubilees included a 1st Class 4 wheeler that would be very near the Bachmann coaches - with some modification to the top of doors. I also think the Met 'Bogie Stock' would be a possibility. John had some good matches in the previous 'wagon' thread.

However, I think I have now found a very close match on a light railway - the Tanat Valley Light Railway during it's Cambrian days. These are the 1st/3rd composite (25' 6 1/2" = 344mm scale) and the 3rd class (23' 11" = 323mm). The doors, windows and panelling look to be a pretty good match and I think they would look just the job if detailed up with foot-boards, roof-steps and grab handles etc.

My reference book is "The Tanat Valley Light Railway" by Mike Llloyd (Wild Swan) - there are very good line drawings on pages 90/91. There's a photo of these carriages on page 101 - and E.F.Carter's 'Liveries' book states that; "Passenger stock was dark green below the waist, with white panelling above. Black edging and gold lining was used and the lettering and numbers were in gold with blue shading"

Sounds rather nice and when Andy B pointed out the Back2Bay6 have the wagons on at 65 pounds for two - I noticed that B2B6 also have the carriages on at 35 pounds (but I think carriage is extra). This is a real bargain for a simple carriage 'starter' project and I'm very tempted (but I have far too many other unfinished projects I'm afraid).

However, I'd better also stop this interesting diversion for now (but it's been much better fun than Suduko) and get out in the garden before it starts to rain. I look forward to seeing the first half decent conversion of one of these carriages and to have some photos for the Newsletter.

Regards

[trammedic]

One other Metropolitan possibility exists. There was a series of the rigid eight-wheelers which had flat sides with square topped doors. One of these was a regular performer on the Brill branch right to the very end of operation. I'm considering a conversion to one of these, using a 'hidden' bogie instead of the rigid wheelbase for ease of getting round the corners (not curves) I am building.

The rigid-eights were also sold on in numbers after the 1904/5 electrification, and quite a few ended up on the Isle of Wight, which would offer another bit of variety to go with the IOW O2 and Terrier from GRS.

Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Tony.

[MikeWilliams]

A friend working for Bachmann UK suggests the coaches are close to SECR and Isle of Wight.  I know nothing about SECR.

Mike

[Ted Sadler]

SECR No 2947 at Tenterden looks like one possibility. However the majority of SECR 4-wheel coaches in block sets had tri-arc roof profiles and no separate waist panels (like LNWR coaches).

I photographed 2947 last year. Ted

[Ted Sadler]

Mark Pretious has produced a nice Stroudley LBSCR brake 3rd from a Bachmann carriage. The attached photo was taken at John Tomlinson's yesterday. Mark says that the buffers need to be replaced as the Bachmann originals do not meet society spacing standards.

Ted

[IanT]

Well done Mark!

I started this thread in May and said that I looked forward to seeing the "first half decent conversion" for the Newsletter. I think this qualifies quite nicely.

Regards,

Ian T

[Ted Sadler]

The 'Thomas' carriages are not the only Bachmann products around. David White may have pipped Mark to the post with a 19th Century Midland Pullman Car converted from two Bachmann bodies. His filigree ironwork on the balconies is superb.

Ted

[AllWight]

In addition to my set 496 Stroudley close coupled set there is also now a set 495 owned by Dave Olden a society member. I was approached by him in December with the intention of making a set up for him identical to my own. I decided however to make it the next set No. down and they look nice as a block set of eight coaches. Any one who is interested in producing their own versions of these attractive vehicles please contact me and I will be happy to advise and give you copies of the scale drawings and templates that I used for these two sets.

Mark