New Bachmann V2 Modifications, Step by Step

[Tom F]

Oops, I forgot to mention another detail Tim has added. The oil boxes on the front running plate under the smokebox saddle. I always thought the Bachmann V2 looked a little bleak at the front end. It appears the number of oil boxes varies from V2 to V2 and their position. We have depicted ours with 3 as the photo of 60977 shows in 1950.

Tim had a number of oil boxes left over from A2s he had used for the many A2/3 conversions he has built over the last year.

[Atlantic 3279]

This may not be the best place of all for this piece of speculation, but it isn't the worst one either:

The practically matching dimensions of V2, A4 and P2 V-front cabs have been discussed elsewhere. Hornby surprised me when they went to the lengths off tooling a second new A4 body for their Railroad range, including most of the benefits of the super-detail version, when I magined they would use the old, badly shaped body instead. I've notived before that the Railroad A4 cab, as well as having moulded-on handrails (now anyway) has a very fine rear edge beading, quite wrong for any A4. Could this be a clue to show that the CAD work for the RR A4 cab was originally done with a V2 in mind, that project then being dropped and the cab design imported into an A4 draft without removing the beading??????

[S.A.C. Martin]

But the cab beading on the sidesheets matches that on previous Margate A3 cabs, doesn't it (bar the V point front)? It looks like they more or less mish mashed a whole host of components or CAD drawings together to make the Railroad A4.

Given how close it is, bar the bodyshell and tender, to the super detail model anyway, I am wondering if Hornby's next move is to retool the Railroad A4 in the same vein as the new A1 next year, using the cast chassis block with 3 pole motor and flywheel.

Would be nice to think they are developing or have developed a V2 recently (not talking about the 80s one which went nowhere) but if it's going to be a super detail model, it'll appear better than the Railroad A4 I'd hope.

[Atso]

That is a major improvement to the V2. Shame the boiler problem is still there but I don't blame you (and I wouldn't try it either!) for not cutting out the Bachmann boiler and replacing it with a chopped up A3 - we'll leave the completely insane to Mr King, shall we!

The dome makes a big visual difference but what surprised me is how much difference the A3 smoke box door makes. Well worth the effort of filling the original down!

Maybe Hornby will produce a new, super detailed, V2. Most certainly if it matches up to the standard achieved by the B1 then OO LNER modellers will be in for a real treat! On a side note isn't it interesting that 15 years ago Bachmann almost owned the idea of a super detailed OO locomotive, now many people seem to be looking to Hornby to lead the way...

Now, if only I could persuade Farish to revamp their N gauge V2 - i.e. loose the boiler skirt, see through spoked wheels and fit one of those new micro motors they keep going on about!

[Horsetan]

.....the boiler problem is still there but I don't blame you (and I wouldn't try it either!) for not cutting out the Bachmann boiler and replacing it with a chopped up A3 - we'll leave the completely insane to Mr King, shall we! ....

He's not the only insane one around here, and the A3-into-V2 hybrid is a winner visually.

[Atlantic 3279]

Insanity has its benefits.......

Going back to that Hornby RR A4 cab, my thoughts about V2 origins don't make much sense on further consideration. I don't think that the V2 cabs had a beaded rear edge anyway, and the raised ventilator group on the cab roof seems to line up far too well with the top of the RR A4 boiler cladding for the marriage of the two to have been an afterthought.....

[Horsetan]

Insanity has its benefits.......

I couldn't agree more

[IAK]

Inspired or insane?
Let us cogitate and muse on that conundrum?

Wibble... Wibble... Wibble...

[Horsetan]

....Wibble... Wibble... Wibble...

Isn't that what many people are doing now that RMWeb's off for the next few days?

[IAK]

....Wibble... Wibble... Wibble...

Isn't that what many people are doing now that RMWeb's off for the next few days?

You naughty boy...

[Horsetan]

...You naughty boy...

Here's the latest:

"RMweb will be offline from 09.00 on Friday 10th August as part of our server move.

Updates will appear on our Facebook page here as the work has gone beyond our original midday estimate"

I think we're looking at days.

[IAK]

...You naughty boy...

Here's the latest:

"RMweb will be offline from 09.00 on Friday 10th August as part of our server move.

Updates will appear on our Facebook page here as the work has gone beyond our original midday estimate"

I think we're looking at days.

[Horsetan]

^
LMFAO

[Manxman1831]

I shall hand out boxer pants and pencils accordingly. Choice of words afterwards entirely down to individual preference. Flibble.

[60526]

Was detailing the original B'mann V2 ever discussed in detail on the forum? One of our club members has just bought the new V2 and is offloading one of his old ones (Durham LI) for a fair price, the running of the older chassis doesn't compare with the new, but apart from mods to the cartazzi truck the body actually looked better i.e the moulding looks a bit tired.