Products > Sprung Diesel Bogie Kits

Bachmann Class 40

Kit PK016. Prices and Availability here

This kit is for the current Bachmann Class 40 models, with centre motor and six-wheel, split-axle bogie drives.

For the immediately preceding 40 models, with centre motor and four-wheel drives, use the 'Peak' kit, PK017.

The PenBits production test build, picking its way around some of the less salubrious parts of north Tyneside.

Photo: PenBits, cty. Chris Pendlenton

Kit Features

Etched brass fold-up, soldered construction.
Steel ‘guitar wire’ springing.
Secondary springing and fully sprung-equalized primary suspension across all wheels for reliable track-holding.
Primary suspension by spring wires on each side of each bogie, equalized to distribute the loadings across all wheelsets according to the prototype weight diagram.
Secondary suspension by longitudinal spring wires.
Bogie secured to locomotive chassis block by the original pivot moulding, set into the brass bolster frame.
The original cosmetic bogie sideframes are re-used, suitable fixing surfaces being provided.
The cosmetic sideframes swivel only; as on the prototype there is no pitch or roll movement relative to the loco body. This allows a prototypical distance to be set between the frames and the body, and additional details to be added in the gap between them.
The original drive units are re-used, with optional articulation to give the full six-wheel drive.
The kit is designed to use 'American' pickup, with the wheels on one side of each bogie 'live' between the bogie frame and the rail.

The drive unit mouldings are cut down to remove pivot and sideframe attachments. They are then split between the centre and inner axles and re-joined using the etched parts to provide the articulation required by the suspension.

The bolster takes the weight of the loco on a flat plate at floor level. The original pivot yoke moulding fits in to the top of the etched frame to provide the pivot location and to retain the bogie in the loco. The plate is shaped to allow visible underframe cross-member detail to be added.

The bogie subframe assembly.

The frame for the radial axle. You can turn down the ends of a pinpoint axle to represent the visible extensions of the prototype's axles.

The subframe with wheels and primary springs fitted. The springs distribute the load between each pair of axles, with the subframe itself acting as an equalizing beam between the two pairs. Load distribution is in the same proportions as the prototype weight diagrams.

The cosmetic sideframes are mounted on the swivelling bolsters. There is no pitch or roll movement between the sideframes and the body, as the prototype locos have no secondary suspension. Experiments have shown, however, that secondary suspension is desirable for satisfactory performance of a sprung model loco.

The bolster arches over the drive unit, supported on the subframe by the secondary springs.