Bill Bedford W irons for NPCS BWF003 v.1.1 © 2004

[andrewnummelin]

When fitted with wheels that measured 14.5mm over treads and 15.2 over flanges, so appropriate for NPCS, the flanges foul the etching (and the floor of the horse box that I was fitting them to).
Comparing the etch with ones I am using for coaches (eg BWF020 and BWF031/4) it was clear that there is a significant difference in the bearing carriers: those for coaches holding the bearing around 1.5mm further down from the spring wire than those of the NPCS etch.
Was BWF003 designed for wagon size wheels rather than normal coach wheels?

[Mark Tatlow]

I can't comment for the designer's intent, but I had the same problem and used them for vehicles with wagon wheels, not coach.

I think the set I had already fitted were bodged by the use of bearing carriers from something else that were rather smaller.

[Weskie]

I think this has come up before. Try a search on 'Bill Bedford springing units'

[Daddyman]

I think it has come up before too. I usually swap the (ironically longer) bearing carriers from a set of BB W-irons designed for 12mm wheels with the (equally ironically) shorter ones supplied for the NPCCs. The longer ones certainly solve the NPCC problem, but I haven't done it for a while and can't remember if the shorter ones work properly in their new role. Another option may be to keep the original NPCC bearing carriers and bend the springs - but 1.5mm may be too much...

Can the man himself offer any explanation/guidance?

[andrewnummelin]

Cheers guys.
I guess the options now are to make my own spring carriers, bodge something, or hope that someone else can take over the range following the closure of Eileen’s.

[davebradwell]

If you look out Chris Pendlenton's article on 21 ton hoppers iin MRJ 173, I think, you'll see how he bends up his spring carriers from wire and they can be made any length you wish.

DaveB