Hymek bogie wheelbases

[John Fitton]

Not quite P4 related, but I will explain.

I have a very old Tri-ang Hornby Hymek which, for sentimental reasons, I can't scrap. I am re-motoring it with a seriously shortened Bachmann warship chassis, and it has Ultrasacle 3'9" wheelsets. The old T-H motor bogies, although quite nice mechanically, are very short, hence the conversion. I have withdrawn them for service.

I need new sideframes to match exactly the Bachmann mechanism. Can I ask if anyone can supply me with the actual wheelbase of the Heljan and later Hornby Hymeks (preferably in mm). If you know the part number and where I can get them, that would be a super bonus of course, but the wheelbase is what I need to be sure. I don't have the Warship w/b handy as I write. If there are alternate sources of suitable frames, of course I am interested.

Any other comments are welcome.

John

[grovenor-2685]

Prototype wheelbase data is here, http://www.clag.org.uk/wheelbase.html which confirms that the Warship and hymek share a 10'6" bogie wheelbase.
My Bachmann Warship is correct at 42 mm but i can't help with Hymek details as i don't have one.
Regards
Keith

[Philip Hall]

Years ago I P4-d a Hornby Hymek which had plastic sideframes which looked right, certainly they were longer than the cast metal originals. Performance wasn't bad, and with two powered bogies, the thing would pull a house down. I've just had a look at the Hornby website and the current Hymek looks to have the same bogies, so maybe Hornby spares are available? A further glance at their website for the service sheets they used to do should give the part number. One of the Hornby spares specialists might be able to help.

Philip

[LesGros]

I have a Hornby Hymek tucked away; I will look it out and measure the wheelbase for you. Are there any other dimension needed whilst I have the calipers in Hand?

regards

[John Fitton]

Thanks everyone, and for sure the bachmann wheelbase is 42 mm, which would be spot on for the hymek. So, if anyone can give me the measurements on the more recent plastic sideframes it would be appreciated. My bachmann warship has stock ultrasacle wheels and will zip my electric scot train round curves at the scale ton plus a bit. superb road holding.

Keith, I have an Athearn mechanism that will be part of a Lima western. anything to report on the ultra scale wheels with athearn mechanism? I have the thing ready to go except for pick ups and lengthening the chassis frame...

Struggling with the conversion of my new Falcon as well!!

John

[grovenor-2685]

Keith, I have an Athearn mechanism that will be part of a Lima western. anything to report on the ultra scale wheels with athearn mechanism? I have the thing ready to go except for pick ups and lengthening the chassis frame...

John, I have two Athearn mechs in Class 37s which were done before Hornby and bachmann did EE Co bogies. And before Ultrascale made their conversion wheels. I have lived with the wheelbase error but fitting the wheels was easy enough. See http://www.norgrove.me.uk/class37.htm.
They have the usual 6 wheel bogie problem of rocking on the centre axle resolved by loosening it up as much as possible soo the centre axles end up not carrying any weight in normal circumstances, but the gears makes sure they go round and don't pick up dirt.
I would hope the Ultrascale wheels make the job a little easier. At least with a Western fitting the sideframes may be a bit simpler.
Regards

[John Fitton]

Les G,

Thanks for the offer: Right now I think I just need the wheelbase thanks!

John

[Horsetan]

Years ago I P4-d a Hornby Hymek which had plastic sideframes which looked right, certainly they were longer than the cast metal originals. Performance wasn't bad, and with two powered bogies, the thing would pull a house down.....

I did exactly the same as you, Philip, and still have the Hymek today. I opened up the outside frames around the coil springs and axleboxes so that they would be "see-through" rather than solid. I'm told that the new-generation 5-pole Ringfields are stronger still, so imagine what a dual-motored 5-poler might be capable of!

There was an article by the late Monty Wells in RM, round about 1983(?), in which he converted his Hornby Hymek from the Ringfield bogies to the ones from the then-contemporary Mainline Warship. I seem to recall that he said the Hornby Ringfield wheelbase was a scale six inches too short, hence the choice of the Warship which was spot on.