Bachmann,32-257A,WD AUSTERITY VULCAN

QUOTE (Doug @ 28 Jan 2008, 11:50) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Are the wheels on this model normal?



Not being an expert, it looks like flashing between the spokes. Is it meant to be there?

Hi,

Yep they sure are as correct as a model firm can make them. See Austerities

I have Vulcan, a non-dcc ready loco that improved once a decoder was fitted. Great loco, better than the Hornby Stanier 8F, performance wise, that is.

regards.

Hugh

They were low cost wheels Doug, in cast iron originally, though they may have moved to cast steel eventually. These machines were built 'cost down' in anticipation of many only having short service lives, behind the front lines.

I am an enthusiast for Bach's WD, not least because it can readily be improved with some simple mods. There's one significant missing detail on the tender, the fire iron rack on the fireman's side. 247 Developments have a brass etch available, but mind your fingers once fitted (probably why Bach left it off). Making a shorter loco-tender drawbar to close the gap, and fitting a fall plate, also helps appearance, and it will still go round curves well below 24" radius.

Then there's the mechanism and performance. It's a bit too light to make full use of the motor and 40:1 gear ratio. The body, once off the chassis, can be dismantled by unscrewing and unclipping the major components. The main ballast weight in the boiler is secured by a screw underneath, and comes out forward once the push-fit smokebox is removed. (The ballast weight looks to me like Bach had thoughts of a smoke unit.) Substitute lead for this ballast and a much more potent hauler results. The chassis is sprung on the second and fourth coupled axles. Reduce the depth of the plastic ribs inside the baseplate to allow some downward travel to these axles, and stretch the springs if adding weight to the loco, this helps both adhesion and pick up.

QUOTE (Hugh Williams @ 28 Jan 2008, 15:40) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi,

Yep they sure are as correct as a model firm can make them. See Austerities

I have Vulcan, a non-dcc ready loco that improved once a decoder was fitted. Great loco, better than the Hornby Stanier 8F, performance wise, that is.

regards.

Hugh

Hi Bach again,

I have to admit to a slight error of judgment, re the Hornby Stanier 8F. I fitted a new BEMF TCS decoder, applied a droplet of oil to the loco, and, believe it or not, it runs better than before. Combination of great decoder and a drop of oil. My apologies to the good name of Hornby, mea culpa, mea culpa. The 8F is nearly as good as the WD. I am waiting for a DCC ready WD...Bachmann have you got the hint, please?

Cheers,

Hugh