ianpenberth wrote:In fact, the Class 66 bogies would just require a flat plate, for the bolster tops to bolt up against, with 3mm holes at the pivot centres. With a 40thou plastic spacer between the bolster top and the plate, the worm shaft centre of the Bachmann drive unit would be about 6mm below the plate. Perhaps the motor could be slung below the plate? The 6mm distance could of course be increased by using thicker spacers, or joggling the plate.
I can confirm that the bogies are all 15thou brass and I've successfully used the same material for making up full chassis frames, stiffening either with perpendicular flanges or multiple laminations.
Thanks for that Ian, very helpful, and it gives me some further ideas on sorting the internals. I almost acquired a damaged Bachmann 66 (body damaged and motor issues) on ebay which would have been perfect, as I already have a new motor, but got pipped at the post. I hoped I could get it cheaper than getting the appropriate bogie parts from Bachmann direct. That last option is now likely what I will do having got a detailed component and price list of the bits needed.
The main area I'm trying to solution at present is how to fix the various internals, to the body sides but I'll wait until I have the chassis and internals all hanging together, then do some measuring and concoct a way to secure all that to some brackets fabricated to the inside of the body sides.
Meanwhile other projects are distracting me a bit, including reengineering an old part built Kemilway chassis for the Airfix Mogul, from OO to P4, mostly to try out my new Antex soldering station, and also to get some practice at making up an etched chassis. I suppose the collective audience here might finally conclude I am mad!
FYI, the Mogul chassis so far now with P4 frames and much fettled (to fit) cylinder frames. I was delighted when I pushed it along the work bench and it all worked without tight spots, although I suspect testing it on some track might prove a better test.
IMG20210506162414 by
terry.howlett, on Flickr
More on the 59 soon.