N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: Jack on October 08, 2012, 08:34:45 PM

Title: Mixed Dapol/GF Mk3 HST rake tips?
Post by: Jack on October 08, 2012, 08:34:45 PM
I have two HST sets, one is all Farish with absolutely no problems on 12in curves. The other set which is mixed Dapol and Farish Mk3's with Farish Power Units is becoming a bit of a pain.  >:( 

It seems that the Dapol don't like being next to Farish coaches on the curves and while there is a very slight difference in coupling height, I'd wouldn't have thought the difference would have mattered that much. I've tried the Dapol units in different places and turned the coaches around, every different way and combination I can thing of.

:help: Anybody got any thoughts or tips to help the situation?

I'm on the verge of getting some Swallow vinyls from Electra Graphics (that is when Adam is back up) and getting some cheap Farish Mk3's of any livery (FGW SLEP's are only £11 ea with Hattons) and converting them so as to replace the four Dapol Mk3's that are becoming a right pain.
Title: Re: Mixed Dapol/GF Mk3 HST rake tips?
Post by: Zunnan on October 08, 2012, 10:19:50 PM
The problem is going to be related to the body mounted close coupler on the Dapol coaches and the relatively light weight of the Farish coaches. The overhang of a Mk3 coach is quite significant, and when the Dapol coaches enter a curve the coupler is always trying to return to the centre position, which when coupled to a bogie mounted coupler that is not trying to return to center means there is a bit of a conflict of interests between them. Try adding a little weight to the Farish coaches to help stop the Dapol couplers from trying to drag them of at every opportunity. I did find it best to keep Dapol and Farish coach rakes to one or the other, but in rakes where there needed to be a mix I found a couple of gramms in the lighter Farish coaches certainly helped.
Title: Re: Mixed Dapol/GF Mk3 HST rake tips?
Post by: guest311 on October 08, 2012, 11:10:29 PM
I found that I could add some flat tyre weights in the equipment boxes below the farish mk.3s.

got mine through my son in law, but ask nicely, while holding a couple of packets of biscuits, at your local tyre firm and I'm sure you'll get more than enought to last you  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Mixed Dapol/GF Mk3 HST rake tips?
Post by: BernardTPM on October 08, 2012, 11:20:04 PM
Probably fitting the BR Lines seating units will bring the weight up sufficiently as well as improving them visually.
Title: Re: Mixed Dapol/GF Mk3 HST rake tips?
Post by: Jack on October 09, 2012, 04:46:59 PM
 :thankyousign:  Many thanks for your thoughts and ideas. Weight appears to be the answer.

Quote from: BernardTPM on October 08, 2012, 11:20:04 PM
Probably fitting the BR Lines seating units will bring the weight up sufficiently as well as improving them visually.

I was going to add seating units sooner or later, but I think it will be much sooner, like as soon as I can get some in my hands.  :)

Thanks again  :beers: