Accucraft L&B GOODS BOGIE BRAKE VAN (Suitable for R1's)

[SDJR7F88]

Hi all.
I recently acquired a Bachmann 'Lyn', really is a superb model, and my first British Outline loco for the B&BLR. After a bit of running it really got me thinking about getting some matching stock for her and naturally I saw Accucraft have a large range of L&B rolling stock.
Anyway I've been really taken by the iconic L&B Bogie Brake Vans, and was wondering if that could make it around 1R's, which my track consists off. I've heard the L&B Coaches will make it with a bit of modification, but I don't really want to go chopping bits and piece off as they are not cheap. So far I only have one item of Accucraft rolling Stock, which is an W&L Brake Van, a lovely little model, which I'm currently trying to add an LGB Style Wheels and Coupler too.
Any info on the L&B Brake Vans would be greatly appreciate.

 

[G-force1]

If you check on Track-shack's site they list the turning circle of the L&B B/van at 3ft rad, R1 curves are 2ft radius so it's doubtful, even allowing that most of Accus stock does better than stated. Someone on here will have tried, and have the definitive answer.

 

[SDJR7F88]

If you check on Track-shack's site they list the turning circle of the L&B B/van at 3ft rad, R1 curves are 2ft radius so it's doubtful, even allowing that most of Accus stock does better than stated. Someone on here will have tried, and have the definitive answer.

Yes, had spotted that, so thought I'd ask. I saw someone on here managed to get the L&B Coaches around R1's with a little bit of modification, and they as much longer than the Brake Van. Will be interesting to see if so

 

[dunnyrail]

You might be better sticking with LnB 4 Wheel Stock. Though not sure of it's Providence on R1. This would of course exclude you from LnB Passenger Trains unless you add LGB Coach or some such to the Consist.
JonD

 

[Neil Robinson]

My bogie van has no problems with LGB R1s. My own layout only has a R1 reverse curve, in the shed on a tight siding, but the van has visited other lines without issue.
I think the couplings may be an issue, I've converted both my L&B and W&L vans to LGB couplings, each on one end only. With the L&B the couplers are bogie mounted but this photo of the original Accucraft coupled to an unmodified Caledonia in the middle of my reverse curve shows how tight body mounted ones can be.



I managed to fit LGB metal rimmed wheels to both my vans. The L&B came with an extra pair of coupling mounting bars to suit Accucraft's alternative hight. I modified one of these to take an LGB coupling as shown below.



For the W&L van I cut away a small part of the buffer beam then built up a platform from plasticard type sheet and square section tube. This served as a mounting for an LGB coupling.



I hope this is of some help.

 

[SDJR7F88]

My bogie van has no problems with LGB R1s. My own layout only has a R1 reverse curve, in the shed on a tight siding, but the van has visited other lines without issue.
I think the couplings may be an issue, I've converted both my L&B and W&L vans to LGB couplings, each on one end only. With the L&B the couplers are bogie mounted but this photo of the original Accucraft coupled to an unmodified Caledonia in the middle of my reverse curve shows how tight body mounted ones can be.

View attachment 214936

I managed to fit LGB metal rimmed wheels to both my vans. The L&B came with an extra pair of coupling mounting bars to suit Accucraft's alternative hight. I modified one of these to take an LGB coupling as shown below.

View attachment 214937

For the W&L van I cut away a small part of the buffer beam then built up a platform from plasticard type sheet and square section tube. This served as a mounting for an LGB coupling.

View attachment 214938

I hope this is of some help.

Thanks ever so much for the help Neil! You thread on the W&L van was what inspired me to get one
So what your saying with the L&B van is that it should work on R1's? Every corner and point on my line is R1, so I want to just make sure. I will of course be adding LGB couples to it at a later date. So should be ok?
Hear's a overview picture of the line to show what I mean by the curves it will have to deal with...
These last pictures so the rest of the layout (taken before the extension).

 

[Rhinochugger]

I think Neil's point about LGB wheelsets may also be pertinent. LGB wheels have deeper flanges, primarily to cope with sharp curves

 

[Trainman58]

Beautiful Layout!

 

[Frank Gallagher]

Going back slightly, you only need to add one LGB coupling to allow a wagon to attach to the Loco then use toe original couplings to attach the rest of the wagons

 

[SDJR7F88]

I think Neil's point about LGB wheelsets may also be pertinent. LGB wheels have deeper flanges, primarily to cope with sharp curves

Thanks for the info, I do plan to replace the wheel as well. I noticed that ones on the W&L Brake Van make it bounce around on point work.

 

[SDJR7F88]

Beautiful Layout!

Thanks ever so much Trainman!

 

[SDJR7F88]

Going back slightly, you only need to add one LGB coupling to allow a wagon to attach to the Loco then use toe original couplings to attach the rest of the wagons

Yes, might end up doing that. Though most of my stock is LGB so will have to see.

 

[G-force1]

Thanks for the info, I do plan to replace the wheel as well. I noticed that ones on the W&L Brake Van make it bounce around on point work.

If, with the existing wheels they bounce about on points, then beware of fitting anything with deeper flanges as it will make things worse! What you describe is the flanges riding the frog (crossover).

 

[SDJR7F88]

If, with the existing wheels they bounce about on points, then beware of fitting anything with deeper flanges as it will make things worse! What you describe is the flanges riding the frog (crossover).

Nothing to do with the flanges as all LGB, PIKO and other stock is fine. Just think it's the fine-scale wheels, dropping into the gaps on the frogs and leaping out of them. Sort of like driving into a pothole

 

[Neil Robinson]

Going back slightly, you only need to add one LGB coupling to allow a wagon to attach to the Loco then use toe original couplings to attach the rest of the wagons

Yes, might end up doing that. Though most of my stock is LGB so will have to see.

I respectfully suggest checking on R1 reverse curves as I suspect LGB couplings have more sideways flexibility than Accucraft choppers.
I don't know for sure as I don't have much Accucraft stock.

 

[PhilP]

Nothing to do with the flanges as all LGB, PIKO and other stock is fine. Just think it's the fine-scale wheels, dropping into the gaps on the frogs and leaping out of them. Sort of like driving into a pothole

I concur.. Finescale wheels are much thinner, so where there is extra width (through a point, say) the wheel can drop into the 'four-foot'. It then climbs out as it exits the wider section. - Sometimes derailing.

?Not having checked.. What do the back-to-backs come out like, if you compare G1 to G?

 

[SDJR7F88]

I respectfully suggest checking on R1 reverse curves as I suspect LGB couplings have more sideways flexibility than Accucraft choppers.
I don't know for sure as I don't have much Accucraft stock.

As long as the L&B vans gets around them I'm fine

 

[casey jones snr]

What was the final outcome? Was the brake van a success?

 

[SDJR7F88]

What was the final outcome? Was the brake van a success?

Haven't got around to getting it yet. Ended up getting a Live Steam and now looking at my second

 

[casey jones snr]

Haven't got around to getting it yet. Ended up getting a Live Steam and now looking at my second

I see. At the CFR I run a considerable amount of L & B freight and passenger stock. Most of the stock is Accucraft but some is GRS, all the bogie stock operates perfectly even through R1 points. I also find that they look great being hauled by the Roundhouse "Little John" and "Bulldog" locomotives.