I've bought a couple of commonwealth bogie packs (2 in each) to update some of my Mark 1 coaches. These are the current or blue riband type. However, the bogies don't seem compatible. The central pivot hole isn't extended to accommodate the 'fin' on the pivot, nor is the outer end of the bogie sufficiently tapered to allow the body-mounted NEM pocket to swing properly, even with the clip-on rapido coupling mount removed. It would appear that these bogies are designed for the original, not current Farish coaches.

Where did you get them from? Have you got a photo?

These:
https://www.petersspares.com/p/graham-farish-379-442-br-commonwealth-coach-bogies-x2-n-gauge
https://railsofsheffield.com/products/br-commonwealth-coach-bogies-x2
seem to have the extended pivot hole, and don't have rapido coupling mounts.
Maybe you've been sent the wrong thing?


Neil

I've corresponded with Bachmann—they have acknowledged the problem. If you order 379-442 you'll get the bogies for the Mark 1 Pullmans. Bachmann will be contacting retailers and have advised me to return the items for a refund.

Hi. I have 3 Mk1 coaches that I want to fit Commonwealth bogies to as my Platform 5 book for the period says that's what they were fitted with. Can you please advise which couplings are required for these bogies.

Ian

Quote from: astrase2 on Today at 03:33:35 PMHi. I have 3 Mk1 coaches that I want to fit Commonwealth bogies to as my Platform 5 book for the period says that's what they were fitted with. Can you please advise which couplings are required for these bogies.

Ian

This is relatively simple.

If you have Bachmann Mk 1s that are post 2010, i.e. Blue Riband coaches, the coupling pockets are on close coupling mechanisms attached to the coach, and the bogies DO NOT have coupling pockets, then you get the sort that Peters Spares are selling.

If you have the older Mk 1s which have flush windows and painted bodies, and all the underframe detail is identical between each coach, then you want the type that Rails are selling (see the two links above). The Rails type have a location point for a coupling pocket but annoyingly don't include the coupling pocket.

Neither Farish or Bachmann seem to have these coupling pockets on their websites. The best that I can see is on Farish N Spares website (ex BR Lines) https://brlines.co.uk/graham-farish-by-bachmann/b379-406-8-clipin-coupling-pocket-spring-and-coupling-pkd-8s.html

These seem to be the small coupling boxes that clip onto small wagon chassis like the Presflo wagon, and possibly these older style Commonwealth coach bogies.

There is nothing wrong with picking up the phone and calling Lee at LP Rails and Repairs Ltd (he took over BR Lines) on +44 (0)116 21 21 741 for advice. He's a very helpful chap.

Good luck. Bob