Scalefour Forum

I'm in the process of upgrading a Bachmann Mk1 C coach. I've managed to obtain a Southern Pride P109 Moulded U/F Fittings and Etched brass BR MK1 Fittings, has any of you got any instructions. Thanks

The detail fret is P108 in the Southern Pride list. I'm not sure they were supplied with any instructions, but the fret contains, amongst other things:

Door "T" handles
Grab handles
V-hangers for the underframe
Makers' plates
Pipework
Rainstrips for the roof

Those are the bits I can identify from your photo.

Thank you for your reply.
I'm also looking also at HMRS Mark 1 Coaching Stock of British Railways which provides a lot of information and photographs.
The coach that I am detailing is a Non Corridor Composite diagram 311 running numbers 41000-42, 41049-59.
One item I am missing is which were coaches were allocated to the Western Region.

41056/7/8/9.

Chris

The info Chris has given is in the Appendices in the Supplement to the original book, which is still available from the HMRS [although not just at the moment!] should you want it (Just for info and not intended as a criticism of asking on here).

I was a bit concerned by the labelling on the moulded underframe parts shown in your photo, which doesn't specify which length of underframe it is intended for, so had a look at the website, http://www.southernpridemodels.co.uk/ and found in 'Introduction & Information'/'Notes & Additional Information' in the left hand navigation bar that "(2) All Suburban coaches are based on 64' underframes as used on the W.R. and the S.R.", so I presume that P109 is intended for a 64ft underframe? Diagram 311 as you will be aware is a 9 compartment vehicle on the 57ft underframe; the differences are shown on p15 of Mark 1 Coaches.

Noel wrote:....I presume that P109 is intended for a 64ft underframe? ....

It is.

EDIT: The complete truss assembly that is included in P109 could be used to improve something like an ancient Kitmaster Mk.1 - it's all plastic at the end of the day.

If you really want to upgrade your mk1, then download the Masokits catalogue and advance to page 4. Mike has produced some lovely etches to lift the Bachmann coach. Be warned, these are fiddly, but worth the effort. I can't see much on that sprue that shouldn't be on the Bachmann coach already.

https://traders.scalefour.org/masokits/

Mike

I've got what is possibly [probably?] the same chassis under a non-corridor third acquired a few years ago, Mike, and am not particularly impressed. The major components are there, but there are also visible major compromises, presumably for production reasons. If I ever decide to upgrade it I would look to replace the whole chassis, although possibly not with Southern pride parts. It's not high on my list of things to do at present.

Thanks Chris for the numbers as sadly whilst I've ordered the HMRS supplement but it cannot be posted at the moment.
Thanks Noel, I think the alteration to the sorter 57' underframe I think is achievable without too much complications, I hope! If you aren't going to use 'Southern Pride upgrade what do you advise?
Thanks Mike, looked at Masokits looks good, hopefully I can purchase some parts.
I think I might enter it for the Challenge as I've not yet started it.

RAO wrote:If you aren't going to use 'Southern Pride upgrade what do you advise?

I have the whitemetal castings from an MTK GUV which I messed up irretrievably many years ago, which are quite reasonable. I haven't got as far as thinking about how to produce the central bracing yet; "T" section brass, perhaps, if a small enough section is available at the time. As I said, it's not high on my [very long] to do list, I'm afraid.

Noel wrote:I've got what is possibly [probably?] the same chassis under a non-corridor third acquired a few years ago, Mike, and am not particularly impressed.

Is it the Masokits version you are referring to?

The original Bachmann.