The LNER Encyclopedia

Good to see that Bachmann are producing Thompsons in maroon/cream but why on earth don't they produce some sort of catering car? This could make up a really good rake with what they have on offer. Interesting to see that they're producing some A2s as well.

As far as I can tell, these are just re-releases of the earlier Bachmann Thompson corridor stock with upgraded NEM couplings. No flexible corridor connections, no lighting, no close coupling, no separate handrails, and (most regrettably, in my opinion) no flush glazing.

Bullhead,

I collected my Thompsons when they were first launched and I have since flush glazed them using SE Finecast window inserts and added handrails and window transfers. I hardly notice the old couplings as they do couple reasonably close. They look a great deal better than they did.

Its Bachmann's way of leaving the modellers a bit more to do.

Colombo

I'd be interested to see a couple of pictures, if you have any - I tried SE Finecast glazing some years ago (before Bachmann arrived on the UK scene, so it was quite a while) and wasn't terribly happy with the convex meniscus effect round the edges. I've wondered about using clear gloss varnish or a clearglaze-type product to run round the gaps between the glazing mouldings and the bodysides themselves to reduce this, but also half-hope that SE Finecast might now be producing crisper mouldings these days - any thoughts?

Bullhead,

I have attached a photo as requested. Whilst not perfect by any means, I suggest that there is a considerable improvement and I do not regret converting a rake of 7 as a quick fix for my layout.

Colombo

looks the part nice model

Yes, they do look good - and it's certainly quicker than building a rake of Comet kits, I imagine.

I'm very tempted to give it a try and see whether running a very fine "seal" of varnish or one of those liquid glazing products between the transparent units and the bodysides disguises the slight gap which is particularly evident round the oval w.c. windows.

Bullhead wrote:I'm very tempted to give it a try and see whether running a very fine "seal" of varnish or one of those liquid glazing products between the transparent units and the bodysides disguises the slight gap which is particularly evident round the oval w.c. windows.

Johnson's 'Kleer' is the stuff to use.

Thanks Bill - I'll get some in. Presumably available at my local Tesco?

One thing that I discovered whilst fitting the SE Finecast glazing inserts was that the window openings for similar windows are not all the same size. However at the same time, it is a fact that SE's inserts are not all the same size either, so it is a matter of finding the best fitting one from the selection available to you for each window opening. If you force in one that is too big, you get a dent in the glazing, whilst one that is too small reveals the convex edge. If you look carefully, you will see where I have forced one that is too large into one of the small upper windows.

There is a problem with the opening lights in the toilet windows, they are too small for inserts. You can see the compromise necessary in the carriage in front.

Colombo

Bullhead wrote:Thanks Bill - I'll get some in. Presumably available at my local Tesco?

I am not sure if Tesco do it but Morrisons definately stock it.

Bill,

After a bit of searching, I eventually have found that Johnsons Klear is now Pledge Multi Surface Wax, also made by Johnsons. You get a 750ml plastic bottle for £2.99.

It was on the bottom shelf at Sainsbury's under floor polishes and cleaners. I shall now try it out on something that does not matter too much. I see from another thread it can also be used for sticking down ballast, an interesting application, as it is perfumed.

Colombo

The perfumed ballast may do wonders to the wife's attitude to the layout.

On a similar vein, do you believe the post-war brown issue of these model coaches was a good representation of the real colour?
Difficult to remember back to the 1949 days I suppose.

regards
Kimball

I believe the post-war Thompson coaches were outshopped in fake grained teak effect, not plain 'brown' paint. The ex-works photos of the latter show something remarkably like the 'real' teak finish- i.e horizontal 'grain' along the lower panels, and vertical 'grain' above. The small no's of steel sided gresley stock was painted like this before WWII too. Lettering was different to pre-war types; gold shaded pink/salmon and white highlights- It has been so long since I've had one of these models in my possession that I cannot recall whether this was copied accurately!

I don't know for sure, but presumably the only plain brown Thompsons were non passenger stock? I assume the famous matchboard full brake was actually wooden, so probably varnished teak like older Gresley stock? These steel sided vehicles only gave an impression of modernity- they were afterall wooden framed.

A Thompson suburban, the majority of which I believe were originally outshopped in early BR days actually,hence carmine livery, has survived and restored in v. late LNER painted 'teak' finish, albeit spuriously for this particularly late (1951) diagram; http://www.srpsmuseum.org.uk/10033.htm.

As you can see, the old release of the Thompsons in 'teak finish with that odd 'swirly' plastic finish is a pretty awful representation really!!!

Will

wehf100 wrote:I don't know for sure, but presumably the only plain brown Thompsons were non passenger stock? I assume the famous matchboard full brake was actually wooden, so probably varnished teak like older Gresley stock? These steel sided vehicles only gave an impression of modernity- they were afterall wooden framed.

More likely to have been painted brown. The planking, I believe, was pine rather than teak.