Piko BR80 Help! How to Change Buffer Beams?

SDJR7F88

SDJR7F88

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Hi everyone, I was wondering if I could have some advice on how to change the buffer beams on my Piko BR80 to the narrow gauge styled ones provided with the model.
I just got my hands on the lovely Green BR80 split new from 37130 starter set. I really like the fact it's more freelance than the other BR80 in the range featuring a mixture parts on it like the taller funnel, that to me makes it look more narrow gauge. Perfect for my railway. ;)
The model arrived yesterday, and included the front couple and the pack of replacement narrow gauge buffer beams, which want to attach. After a quick test run, I flipped the loco over and removed the screws to release release the standard buffer beam. After much jiggling around the buffer beam came free along with the lamps, which slide off releasing the LEDs. Simple, now all I do is slide the LED out through the gap in the buffer beam and then back in on the Narrow Gauge one and put it all back together... Right? :wondering:
Well to my surprise the LED can't seem to slide out from the buffer beam! They are a tad to large. I though they would just pop out, but they don't! Or am I missing something?
Do I have to cut the wires to get them out? I don't really want to start hacking things around, or cutting wires, as I don't have a soldering iron. :sweating:
I see a number of members have managed to change them over on their's and would love to no how they done it.
I'll try and post some pictures of the issue when I find a bit of free time.

Any help will be very much grateful!
 
Whatlep is the man to ask, best send him a message via 'conversations'.
I do seem to remember him saying that the LEDs were a fiddle.
 
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Peter / Whatlep sold his BR 80, if I recall correctly?

I have a BR 80, and spare buffer beams, so will try it out and report back (later today).
 
SDJR7F88 said:
Well to my surprise the LED can't seem to slide out from the buffer beam! They are a tad to large. I though they would just pop out, but they don't! Or am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Yep, you missed something. As promised, I tried it out myself today. Apparently you cannot pull out the LED directly, you need to remove the lantern first. Once the black lantern is separated from the buffer beam, you can pull out the LED from the lantern.

Probably not needed, but I uploaded a short video demonstrating the process anyway:

Hope this helps.
 
WillemD said:
Yep, you missed something. As promised, I tried it out myself today. Apparently you cannot pull out the LED directly, you need to remove the lantern first. Once the black lantern is separated from the buffer beam, you can pull out the LED from the lantern.

Probably not needed, but I uploaded a short video demonstrating the process anyway:

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the video WillemD. Yes, I have got that far and the lamps off, but the LED does not fit through the buffer beam.
 
It doesn't fit through the buffer beam, but you can make it fit... Look closely at the LED, it has a flat side. Make sure you slide that flat side along the buffer beam, and apply some brute force (widen the gap in the buffer beam a bit, push on top of the LED, and pull the cables gently). This worked on mine.

It's difficult, but once I discovered the flat side of the LED, it went easier!
 
WillemD said:
Peter / Whatlep sold his BR 80, if I recall correctly?
Click to expand...
Yes, and I bought it. :happy:
As I had trouble dismantling the body to fit a crew I contacted Peter who re-posted his excellent thread on the loco which is way better than the Piko exploded diagram. :wait:
 
Damn, I have this thread on my computer but can't find how to upload it!
 
I'm pretty sure you don't need to disconnect the wires, just fiddle with the mountings.
Typically I tried to find the thread on my computer today and can't find it :mad:
 
pugwash said:
I'm pretty sure you don't need to disconnect the wires, just fiddle with the mountings.
Typically I tried to find the thread on my computer today and can't find it :mad:
Click to expand...
That good to hear. I might be adding one of these analog sound units to it at some point, so if the worries comes to worries and they don't come out without having to take it apart, I could wait until then. Let us know if you find it, as I'm sure it will be a great help for that too ;)
 
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