Bachmann Class 40 Conversion

[Alan CaterParticipant]

New Member and new to EM gauge modelling. Can anyone tell me what I need to convert an RTR Bachmann Class 40 Diesel to EM gauge. Advice on the conversion would be welcome too, as this will be my first attempt!

Cheers,

Alan

[Trade OfficerKeymaster]

Hi Alan

Welcome to the EMGS.

Alan Gibson does a conversion pack (4800/5 on page 27 of the catalogue). UltraScale also do a conversion pack, but more expensive. Not sure of turn round time for either sources

This particular pack is not currently part of the EMGS inventory so you will need to go direct to the suppliers

In terms of the conversion itself I haven’t had any experience of diesel conversions. Some of them are just straight replacement but others require some surgery to make room.

Hopefully someone on the forum will be able to help

 

John

[Alan CaterParticipant]

Thank you, John.

I’ll investigate the Alan Gibson kit you suggested, as the UltraScale version is quite expensive.

If anyone can advise on the fitting, that would be great!

Cheers,

Alan

[Membership SecretaryKeymaster]

Take care here Alan because Bachmann has produced two versions of the Class 40. The earlier one has single piece axles while the later (and current) one has split axles. AFAIK the Alan Gibson and the Ultrascale conversion packs are suitable only for the earlier version, they will not be suitable if your Class 40 has split axles. When I was modelling in EM (I switched to O Gauge last year) I had three Bachmann diesels with split axles (the current production models of Classes 20, 40 and 47) and I asked David Rogers, the proprietor of Ultrascale, whether he had any plans to offer conversion kits for split axle models. He does offer these for the Dapol Class 52 (a long in production model with split axles) and I have converted two Class 52s with his kits, which I still have as I kept all of my EM conversions when I sold the rest of my 4mm collection. David replied saying that he would produce a conversion kit for one of the locos if I sent it to him on loan but at the time (about 12 months ago) he was about to close down his business for a couple of months as he had to go into hospital for an operation. As it transpired, during that two month period I made the decision to move to O gauge and, therefore, I did not take up David’s offer.

[Alan CaterParticipant]

Hi Bill,

Thank you. Colin from Alan Gibson has confirmed what you posted, and as you say, the UltraScale conversion is for the same earlier class 40 issue. Do you think it would be worth me asking David Rogers if he would be willing to look at the newer version?

 

[Membership SecretaryKeymaster]

Hi Alan

I think it is worth you approaching David Rogers, he may well still be willing to take a look. His email address (which is on the Ultrascale website) is enquiries@ultrascale.co.uk.

[Alan CaterParticipant]

Thanks Bill, I’ll give him a go.

[Alan CaterParticipant]

Hi Bill,

I contacted David from UltraScale. Unfortunately as he only tests on DC, there is no way he can use my Sound fitted DCC class 40 as a loan test piece which I offered, (as you did in the past). The only way forward is to purchase a DC version of the diesel for him to use. However, the cost of this, plus R & D charges and the conversion kit would make the cost way over what I could justify, so at this point it seems this conversion has “hit the buffers!”  A shame, but I will have to hope that at some point a kit will be available for the newer model. Thank you and the forum for the help.

Alan

[Membership SecretaryKeymaster]

Hi Alan

Sorry to hear of this difficulty. I use DCC although I do not claim to be an expert and someone with greater expertise may wish to chip in, but perhaps a solution would be for you to remove your DCC decoder and replace it with a DC blanking plate, which may be a  simple unplug/replace exercise reversible in the same manner, which would convert your loco to DC on a temporary basis.

[Graham PriceParticipant]

I’ve not done this conversion, but there is an EMGS Manual sheet (3.2.6(17)) on converting the Bachmann 10000 which refers to the later version of the Class 40 as well. It would be worth a look.

[Alan CaterParticipant]

Hi Graham.

Thanks, I’ll take a look at the manual sheet you suggested.

Alan

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