Products > Sprung Diesel Bogie Kits

Heljan Falcon

Kit PK014. Price and Availability here

Kit Features

Etched brass fold-up construction.
Steel ‘guitar wire’ springing.
Primary and Secondary springing.
Primary springing by two independent spring beams on each side of each bogie to mimic the sprung equalization beams of the prototype.
Secure fit to locomotive chassis block, using an etched brass pivot frame.
Adjustable ride height using plastic card spacers.
Uses original A1A drive units, with straightforward modifications.
The centre, undriven axles are securely located and weighted.
The original cosmetic bogie sideframes are re-used, suitable fixing surfaces being provided.
Includes representations of the bogie end transoms and optional brake detailing parts, improving the appearance of the bogies and allowing errors in the original moulding to be corrected.

Spring bogie subframe with brake details fitted.

'American' pickup as the Branchlines wheels are 'live' on one side, so no wires to worry about - just the one connection to the pivot screw.

An etched pivot frame fits securely into the chassis block to take the insulated pivot screw, moving the pivot slightly forward to its correct location.

Close up of the outer end detail on the bogie. The forward extension of the guard irons is reduced slightly on the production etches.

Our sample P4 conversion uses Branchlines 14mm wheels, which are closer to the correct 3' 7" diameter than the 15mm wheels fitted by Heljan.

These oblique views contrast the appearance of the bogie with (above) and without (below) the optional etched brake detail parts.

Test Run Video

Video of Falcon on PenBits' test circuit, taking a facing crossover across the superelevation to run wrong road before crossing back in front of the camera. Some dodgy tracklaying to deal with: at least one sunken vee (you can hear the clunk!). Unsprung Mk1s rattle along behind. Watching the lump of grot go round on the leading wheelset convinced us that we needed to add some etched brake details.