Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

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Knuckles
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Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Knuckles » Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:44 pm

Success!

About 6 years ago I had a bash at converting a standard Bachmann 57xx into a RWS 'Duck', it was nothing more than a face addition, balsa wood sandboxes (Ugh, replacement ideas please?), a couple of paint tweaks, brass number plates...and that's about it. I have been looking for another pannier of the same part number to have another go with more accuracy and care, however it seems Bachmann have discontinued it as I can't find one anywhere. Hopefully they will re-release it. Anyway, I've had the Ultrascale conversion kit for a while but it hadn't matured enough in my draw for me to use it. Seeing as I'm not ready to tackle the E2 body's for that loco, I thought it an idea to get this one done instead, now that I have enough Dingham couplings on the wagons to test with.

So this is basically what I did.

I had a PDF that was very helpful and I followed some of it, but not all. Here is the link for it...

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... HEsW0EdvNA

I think we all know now that Ultrascale cost a packet and take about 6 months to arrive, but whatever. They come in a nice little box, each wheel set is quartered on it's axle and 'back to back' set already. The gear is even fixed on for you. It says it is for the 8750 but it's ok for the 5700's also.
Image

You just remove the two extreme ended screws to remove the body, then two inner ones to remove the frame and wheels. Luckily I managed to nab myself a Hornby crankpin screw driver and it works beautifully. I've struggled with tweezers and pliers rounding them off too many times. it's a shame the companies didn't supply these things easier, it's also a shame that buying only loco bodies from RTR manufactures is like persuading a cat to eat a stick of celery, but never mind. I didn't bother removing the plug as in the PDF as I didn't feel the need.
Image

As pointed out in the PDF, the centre axle has a really neat way of springing things, it is I suppose you could say a 'half-bush' that hugs most of the axle with a spring on top. The 00 wheels against the P4 ones look odd.
Image

You have to either remove the brake pull rods and replace them, or thin them out as they are too fat. I chose to thin them.
Using a file at first I almost fell of my chair in boredom, so then I whipped out the mini drill and made a mess. Eventually I found the easiest way was to just lay the thing on its side and shave it with a brand new scalpel blade. The plastic flexes enough so that it lays flat while you go about it. The rear pipes also needed shaving, but again, this wasn't too much of a bother thankfully.
Image

I failed to mention, the Ultrascale wheels also come with crankpins pre fixed and with a retainer already threaded on. Bonus. The standard Bachmann coupling rods fit the Ultrascale pin bushes perfectly. I can't say how they would be if you sourced replacement rods however. Balance weights also come with the package and for fitment positions I just referred to the original 00 wheels. It must be said, like the doughnut I am, I lacked the foresight to fit them before the conversion, so instead I had to struggle around things and struggle I did! Superglue probably wasn't the wisest choice but after I scraped away the 'bloom' they don't look bad at all. Maybe a bit of paint is in order. It might just be me and my bodging but I had to shave the weights slightly as they were fouling the clearances. All good now.
Image

Done. (Any ideas how to re-instate the 'wheel handle thing' on one of the tank fillers? Snapped it didn't I.)
I've gave the wheel centres a touch of black paint, also the retaining screws paint also to hide the shiny brassy look, and hopefully will be sufficient to stop them un-expectantly turning into Frisbee's. I have Metal Black but am unsure how to use it to good effect, so maybe later.
I'm still thinking at a future date doing the whole RWS 'Duck' thing again, but it'll suffice for now. The chassis seems happy on the layout. Also I fitted a Dingham coupling to the rear of the loco, but not the front. I just wish to add also that some frame/chassis extensions sideways wouln't go a miss, there is abalmost a scale foot gap between the edges and wheel backs. Baaaad!
Image

Hope that's alleviated some fears. As conversions go it has a reputation for being an easy one, and I'll agree to that, although it probably took me a couple or three hours, unsure.

Next task I guess is to start installing the electro-magnets on the layout.

What you think? :)
“He who dares not offend cannot be honest.” Thomas Paine

https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.com/
Mostly 3D Printed Loco kits etc.

SCC Price list (7/4/22)
https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.co ... e77d42.pdf

Armchair Modeller

Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Armchair Modeller » Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:08 pm

That looked pretty easy! Shame about the long wait for the wheels, but a very quick result once they arrived!

You can sometimes get bodies on eBay. Save a search and you will get notified when they come up.

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Noel
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Noel » Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:50 pm

You probably don't need [or want?] to know about this now, but S4News 119 page 14 has an article by Ted Scannell from 2000 when the Ultrascale conversions first came out ...

Noel
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Noel

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Knuckles
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Knuckles » Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:47 pm

I probably don't need it, but it is good you alearting us to it, for we have more info to help should anyone want a bash.

One thing I would very much like to do is puff out the frames. Being made for 00 the gap to the wheels is a whopping scale foot almost. I think the real things had about half inch in comparison. Does anyone make them?
“He who dares not offend cannot be honest.” Thomas Paine

https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.com/
Mostly 3D Printed Loco kits etc.

SCC Price list (7/4/22)
https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.co ... e77d42.pdf

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grovenor-2685
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby grovenor-2685 » Fri Jul 05, 2013 10:35 pm

Some people make plasticard overlays for this or use something like Comet sideframes packed out with plasticard. I prefer to add weight so I cut the packing from lead sheet, I have done both the Bachmann Jinty and WD 2-8-0 this way as well as Hornby black 5 and WD 0-6-0.
Keith
Jinty chassis.jpg
J94 chassis-wheeled.jpg
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Keith
Grovenor Sidings

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Tim V
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Tim V » Sat Jul 06, 2013 8:07 am

I have two, but haven't bothered - I don't look at my locos that closely....
Tim V
(Not all railways in Somerset went to Dorset)

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Knuckles
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Knuckles » Sat Jul 06, 2013 9:38 am

Thanks Keith. Cobbling something is possible but how to replicate the firebox or ashpan detail (think that is what it is) will be hard.

To Tim V; Two what, overlays or converted loco's? Unsure what you mean.
“He who dares not offend cannot be honest.” Thomas Paine

https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.com/
Mostly 3D Printed Loco kits etc.

SCC Price list (7/4/22)
https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.co ... e77d42.pdf

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Tim V
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Tim V » Sat Jul 06, 2013 10:33 am

Two Bachman panniers, neither has any overlays.
Tim V
(Not all railways in Somerset went to Dorset)

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Knuckles
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Knuckles » Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:23 pm

Oky doky, I hear you.

A bit late a reply but I havr the smallest of requests. Anyone know where I could get a new engine minus the body? Reason being, before I even converted it the slow.running went cack. It was my.best runner but something happened and I havr jo idea what. I've stripped it and put a bit of oil on the motor armatures and that has improved things, but not enough. All the gears have been cleaned as there was some model grass fibers in there. Any ideas? It doesn't want to get much better it seems.
“He who dares not offend cannot be honest.” Thomas Paine

https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.com/
Mostly 3D Printed Loco kits etc.

SCC Price list (7/4/22)
https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.co ... e77d42.pdf

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steamraiser
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby steamraiser » Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:38 pm

Have you removed the motor to see if that is the problem?

I have not been happy with the Bachman motor fitted to one of my panniers from the beining, so have replaced it with a Mashima can. To save messing with the Bachman worm I also purchased a nylon replacement from Branchlines at the same time I purchased the motor.

Gordon A
Bristol

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Andy W
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Andy W » Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:56 pm

Knuckles, if the problem occurs when running slowly, have you checked the pick ups? Connect some power directly to the motor and see if it runs o.k. at slow speed before you think about replacing it.
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Knuckles
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Knuckles » Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:17 pm

Thanks for the replies. I'll have to have a good look inside as I don't really know how to remove the motor safely. It used to run super slow and smooth, as good as my Heljan Hymek, but now it's wank. (again, it deteriorated before the conversion so it isn't that.)

If I do end up fully stripping it I might have a go at Keiths lead frame thickeners. Seems a good idea. For the frame detail that I'd loose I have a sneaky solution up my sleeve.
“He who dares not offend cannot be honest.” Thomas Paine

https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.com/
Mostly 3D Printed Loco kits etc.

SCC Price list (7/4/22)
https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.co ... e77d42.pdf

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Russ Elliott
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Russ Elliott » Tue Aug 27, 2013 8:14 am

There is a report on RMweb that a batch of Bachmann Panniers is affected by 'dodgy mazak disease', the result being the chassis block length growing alarmingly. If that is true, the only thing it is fit for is lobbing through the office windows at Barwell.

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Tim V
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Tim V » Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:25 pm

The motor just unclips from the nylon supports (assuming it's one of the current generation). If you can't see a clip like the one in Keith's picture above (my clips are white, Keith's is black), maybe you've got an older generation chassis that can't be converted.
Tim V
(Not all railways in Somerset went to Dorset)

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Knuckles
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Knuckles » Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:26 pm

Ok thanks guys, I'll have a look later sometime then report back. :thumb
“He who dares not offend cannot be honest.” Thomas Paine

https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.com/
Mostly 3D Printed Loco kits etc.

SCC Price list (7/4/22)
https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.co ... e77d42.pdf

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steamraiser
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby steamraiser » Tue Aug 27, 2013 11:01 pm

The clips holdingthe motor need a bit of brute force to remove the motor. An alternative is to drop the keeper plate and wheels. There are two screws that can be accessed from underneath that hold the motor mount to the chassis.

Gordon A
Bristol

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Knuckles
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Re: Bachmann 57xx Ultrascale Conversion

Postby Knuckles » Mon Sep 12, 2016 6:35 am

Knuckles wrote:Ok thanks guys, I'll have a look later sometime then report back. :thumb



Seing Tim V's Duck made me look at this old thread....seems I better reply or it makes me a liar. 3 years on better late than never.

So a few years ago I took it to a Scalefour event where there was a test track and it ran perfectly. I was perfectly baffled.

It was running on the famed Pentroller so the guy said the issue is the gash Hornby controller I was using.

I haven't got a Pentroller but since switching to the Gaugemaster Combi it runs sweet again.

Combi for the win.
“He who dares not offend cannot be honest.” Thomas Paine

https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.com/
Mostly 3D Printed Loco kits etc.

SCC Price list (7/4/22)
https://www.sparkshotcustomcreations.co ... e77d42.pdf


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