Accucraft IOM Pairs coaches. Body mounted choppers?

Martino

Martino

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I have a rake of Accucraft IOM pairs coaches. They have the chopper couplers mounted on extensions off the bogies. Has anyone tried body mounting the choppers to give a more prototypical close coupled look?

If so, what's the minimum radius they'll handle?
 
I likes that question! ;D I wouldn't mind knowing the answer to that as I have a long rake of them as well. Haven't run 'em yet.
 
I've not tried what you are suggesting, but have some related observations. My Accucraft 'pairs' are running as supplied, but I have a DJB IOM 'small F' which has the chopper couplings mounted on the body, and it copes well with 4ft radius curves. I've just converted a scratch built IOM saloon from an Accucraft style drawbar to body-mounted couplings too; it sits on DJB bogies, which didn't seem to cope well with the drawbar. I've not had enough running time to give a definitive answer, but early indications are promising. Both carriages will be about the same length, and have similar wheelbase bogies compared to the 'pairs', so my experience may be relevant. Do let us know the outcome!
 
I just remembered -I removed the centring spring from the coupling on the saloon, and filed a small amount off the sides of the coupling housing, which helped it to negotiate a couple of tighter radius reverse curves.
 
I recall someone doing this but I don't recall the minimum radius curves in use.
I didn't bother as a, I'm lazy and b, even with the couplers body mounted there's still a large unprototypical gap between the coaches.
 
That true Neil.

I think bringing them closer than with body mounted couplers may be a step too far. I have pretty generous curves, but I also have two crossovers using Train Line R7 points, and I think those may be the camel breaking straw!
 
Ha! Reminds me of the phrase 'I knew a girl like that once', or a road sign we have here 'dangerous curves'.

Meanwhile, back at the railway.....
 
Martino said:
I have a rake of Accucraft IOM pairs coaches. They have the chopper couplers mounted on extensions off the bogies. Has anyone tried body mounting the choppers to give a more prototypical close coupled look?

If so, what's the minimum radius they'll handle?
Click to expand...

I have a combination of body mounted and bogie mounted choppers on my IoM Pairs rake. Coupled body mount to bogie mount, they'll do R2's no problem. I'll try body to body mount for you as soon as poss and let you know the outcome.
 
Gareth, could we have a close-up pic of your body mounted choppers?

What radius curve is R2? :-\
 
Thanks for that Gareth. I think, as I have nothing as severe as those curves, body mount choppers would work.

I think my main concern is how they would handle the crossovers formed with Train Li R7 points. The immediate reverse curve formed by a crossover might be a cause the couplings to lock or cause a derailment.
 
Martino said:
Thanks for that Gareth. I think, as I have nothing as severe as those curves, body mount choppers would work.

I think my main concern is how they would handle the crossovers formed with Train Li R7 points. The immediate reverse curve formed by a crossover might be a cause the couplings to lock or cause a derailment.
Click to expand...

I can run em through a reverse curve for you mate and report back. Gives me another excuse to visit the man-cave tonight :D ;).
 
3Valve said:
R2 is 2' 6" rad mate
Click to expand...

Cheers Gareth. That's really quite tight, I should survive Ok on 4 ft. then. Might be worth the effort, if I ever get time. . . . . !
 
OK guys, I've done some reverse curve testing. Under spotlight on the patio (oh the dedication ;) )

LGB R2 - forget it, not a hope in hell.
AML 3' 3" rad - Pushed through OK, but pulling throws a carriage off
LGB R3 - - pushed through sort of OK, but there was a distinct wobble/jilt of the lead carriage when pulling (see vid below)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=654UwN_G9XU[/youtube]

Ran them through LGB R3 again, but this time coupled bogie mount to body mount (this is how I run them). It's a good compromise to give closer coupling plus trouble-free running on R3 - as you should see in the vid below, none of the nasty body jilt from the first carriage.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56XvqW2g42U[/youtube]

Conclusion: -

Minimum comfortable radius with body mounted couplings throughout = LGB R5
Minimum comfortable radius with body to bogie coupled carriages = LGB R3
 
That's hugely helpful Gareth, and I'm very grateful for your time and effort. If I could run round with booze, I would!

I think that first step is, as you suggest one body mount and one bogie mount. Then progress from there.

Thank you very much again.
 
Martino said:
That's hugely helpful Gareth, and I'm very grateful for your time and effort. If I could run round with booze, I would!

I think that first step is, as you suggest one body mount and one bogie mount. Then progress from there.

Thank you very much again.
Click to expand...

No worries mate. There's a slight height difference between body and bogie mount, but it's negligible. They will couple and stay coupled. I have an AML 3' 3" to Artisto R2 reverse curve on my line and they run fine through that in either direction.
 
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