Fitting Loco Buffer Beam Detail Parts (Plus Bogie Parts) – Bachmann Class 47
FITTING BUFFER BEAM DETAILS
In this article, we’ll take a look at fitting some of the detail parts that come supplied with a diesel locomotive model. The one featured in this article is a Bachmann Class 47 model. First up what tools do you need?
Tools needed to fit the buffer beam pipework & associated parts that I usually use are:
- Tweezers.
- A small file.
- Bostick All Purpose Clear Gel Glue or super glue.
- Small flat blade screwdriver – to apply & spread the glue.
- Optional – small handheld twist type drill & small drill bit.
Usually supplied with many new super detailed models these days, is a bag of detail parts such as buffer beam pipework, snowploughs etc. In the photo below left can be seen one such parts bag supplied with a Bachmann Class 47 model. Usually supplied in the model’s box is some paperwork showing where the parts go on the buffer beam. Depending on the variant type class of loco will depend on what bits you should fit. The instructions can sometimes be a bit vague, so helps to do a bit research on the loco model your fitting the parts to. Be it visiting a railway to see the real thing, photos, books or searching online.
The model we’re using for this article at the time of writing was the Crewe Heritage Centre, so I took the opportunity to snap off a few reference photos of the real loco. Below right can be seen one of the reference photos of the buffer beam on the real loco.
So armed with reference photos & Bachmann’s info sheet lets make a start on adding the buffer beam detail to the model.
On the model, you may find that the cosmetic coupling is already fitted at one end of the model. The other end of the loco will often not have this coupling fitted, this allows clearance for the tension loco coupling fitted below in the NEM coupling box. A lot of modellers detail one end up only, leaving the detailed parts off at the other end of the loco due to the tension lock coupling or similar.
Here you can see our model has the cosmetic coupling fitted by the factory.
Looking at the reference photos & the parts supplied in the bag, I settled on the ones shown in the photo below.
So starting to the left of the coupling, I test fitted the first pipe. The part wouldn’t fit the relevant hole on the buffer beam so one of two options is chosen. First would be to open out the hole on the buffer beam with a small drill bit in a twist drill, or file down the end of the pipework fitting.
I’ve opted to file down the end of the pipework fitting slightly, as shown in the photo below right.
File a little bit at a time & test fit the part. Once the part test fits into the buffer beam hole okay, it’s time to glue the part into place. Decant a small amount of glue on to the end of an old flat blade screwdriver. I’m using Bostick All Purpose Gel Glue, put a small amount of super glue will do (preferably one that doesn’t leave white fume marks).
Dip the end of the filed part into the glue, only a small amount is needed on the part.
Holding the loco steady, carefully place the glued pipe end into the first hole to the right of the coupling as shown on the right. Use a pair of tweezers to grip the part. Make sure the part hangs vertically.
Next, take one of the pipes with the yellow ends. Test fit into the hole on the buffer beam next to the part you’ve just fitted. File down the end or open up the hole on the buffer beam if it doesn’t fit.
Again apply a small amount of glue on to the end & carefully insert into the hole. Make sure this pipe hangs vertically.
Just under to the left of the left buffer beam is a rectangle hole. On the real loco, part is marked in the photo on the right. Bachmann has supplied this part as unpainted, look for the small black part with a rectangle peg. The front section of this unpainted part faces downwards at 45 degrees or thereabouts.
Glue & insert the part into the rectangle hole, the front section of the part should point down towards the track at 45 degrees. In the photo on the right, you can see this part circled & fitted.
we now turn our attention to the righthand side of the buffer beam.
On the upper hole of the two on the righthand side of the coupling, fit one of the red pipes. As shown in the photo on the right.
On the next lower hole to the right of the red pipe (not the one directly below the red pipe), fit one of the yellow pipes. As shown in the photo on the right.
Next, take the orange part with the black wire coming from it & fit into the hole just up above to the left of the right-hand buffer. This is the Electric Train Supply. The black wire part loops under the righthand buffer beam.
Last, to go on is the larger factory painted orange item. You may find it easier to lay the loco on its side to fit this part. As shown on the right.
And that’s it for the buffer beam. In the next section below covers some parts that are fitted on the bogies.
Bogie detail parts
In the bag of detailed extra parts is supplied eight brake actuators. These are handed parts, with four left-hand & four right-hand. In the photo on the right, you can see where the part is actually located on the real thing.
You’ll need two left-hand & two right-hand parts for each bogie. Here you can see these brake actuator parts that come in the parts bag.
On each corner of the bogies is a small hole for the brake actuator to fit into. In the photo on the right is the front right-hand hole.
Apply a small amount of glue onto the peg section of the part, & insert into the hole as shown on the right. The part must have the two parallel parts pointing towards the back of the bogie, & bit that sticks out pointing away from the side of the loco.
Now move on to the rear of the bogie on the same side (the end nearest the fuel tanks). Again you can see the hole circled in the photo on the right.
As before applying a small amount of glue onto the peg section of the part, & insert into the hole as shown on the right. The part must have the two parallel parts pointing towards the front of the bogie this time, & bit that sticks out pointing away from the side of the loco.
Now repeat fitting the parts to the other remaining six holes on the bogies. Give time for the glue to set before running.
Happy modelling
REFERENCE PHOTO
In the photo below is a guide to some of the bufferbeam parts.
- ONE – ETS (Electric Train Supply) Socket
- TWO – Main Reservoir Air Pipe – Yellow
- THREE – Vacuum Pipe
- FOUR – Coupling Hook & Shackle
- FIVE – Air Brake Pipe – Red
- SIX – Main Reservoir Air Pipe – Yellow
- SEVEN – ETS (Electric Train Supply) Jumper Cable
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