Monobloc kit for GWR 9ft Light "Fishbelly" bogie.

[John Candy]

Monobloc kit for GWR 9ft Light "Fishbelly" bogie.

This bogie was not on my original list of "must haves" but I have produced it for two reasons.

Firstly, I have a diagram A10 trailer (the now discontinued GRS kit) which came with "fishbelly" bogies but they are not of the correct 9ft wheelbase for the A10. The supplied bogies are a tad over 8ft wheelbase and don't look quite right. Swapping them for the 9ft type is not straightforward, since the bogie mountings are not at the correct centres (out by a considerable amount) and need to be replaced but it has to be done.

Secondly, diagram A9 and diagram Z trailers were fitted with both 9ft Fishbelly and Dean 8ft 6ins bogies. The original plan had been to fit both with Dean bogies but, until I have test-fitted a set to one of them, it is not possible to be certain they can be made to "look right" while remaining functional : Fishbelly bogies will become the fallback position.

The printed parts are laid out in the photos., the axleboxes being separate components to permit different types to be fitted.

This bogie can be simply sprung, employing piano wire, as described for use with the previous Monobloc kits.