PenBits Sprung Bogies for Heljan Hymek

[ianpenberth]

My sprung bogie kit for the Heljan Hymek is now available.

In etched brass with guitar wire springs to the same basic formula as previous kits, the frames are really plain and simple in this one. The thickness of the plastic card spacer on top of the bolster can be varied to set ride-height as desired:

IMG_3863_w800.jpg

The Heljan drive unit and pickups are re-used, after a few straightforward mods:

IMG_3395_w800.jpg

the wheelsets fit into the drive unit as for a normal 'drop in' conversion, with the addition of the bearings and carriers for the sprung suspension:

IMG_3397_w800.jpg

and it all goes together like this:

IMG_3406_w800.jpg

and into the loco like this, with a simple etched frame to provide the pivot point and take the weight:

IMG_3879_w800.jpg

and the end result is virtually invisible (though you do get some guard irons and, if you like, silhouettes of the brakes - you can hardly see them, and might choose not to bother...). But it does run sooooo nicely.

Kit price is £28.00 + £2.00 P&P per loco. Contact and ordering details on the website at http://www.penbits.co.uk.

Instructions are also on the site at http://penbits.co.uk/Content/KitDocuments/Content/Class35Instructions.html. Plenty of words and pictures as usual, but don't be put off, it's not difficult: I just aim to cover all bases for all abilities so that anyone who's minded to has a chance to succeed. There's no outside valve gear, no slidebars or crossheads, no hornblocks, no connecting rod centres to match, no crankpins, no quartering... just a stage-by-stage set of straightforward operations.

Regards to all
Ian