Received the final coach of this set today. Bachmann don't do a Mk1 2nd Corridor Brake Pullman, for the simple reason (As I found out after researching) that they never existed! BR authorised six cars, but none were ever built, they just used whatever came to hand, occasionally a maroon one, but mostly (like mine) a Chocolate and Cream one, filched from the Western region i guess! I also discovered that Mk1 Pullmans apparently were never used on the Southern Region, but 'Rule 1' applies here, and it's my intention to run the set with my Class 71 "Golden Arrow' loco when it eventually arrives, talking of which, I've had a note from Hattons to say they are now expected in November/December, hopefully before Christmas! Anyway, as this last coach is slightly different to the Pullmans, I though I'd do a quick run through of lighting fitting to it. Pic below shows the coupling arrangement, which is what makes it difficult to get clearance on curves if using other than the standard couplings. Attached files
As it's not possible to pass wires through a central hole as in the Pullmans, I drilled a series of holes in an arc, blending them together to form a slot on the base of the coach itself, with a smaller arc in the roof of the bogie itself, the idea being to create sufficient clearance for the bogie to swivel whilst still allowing the wires to the pickups to pass through. Not a great pic, but hopefully it shows the slots and gives an idea of the method. Attached files
With this done, I glued my standard pickup assembly under the bogie, then fitted a suitable length LED strip into the coach roof as normal. As this is a brake coach, I also added a red tail lamp at the rear. I've found that if I connect the tail lamp to the same output on my standard PCB, it hogs all the current, resulting in the roof lights not being lit, so I add a second PCB just for the tail lamp. As this is a brake coach, theres plenty of room for this, and my usual extra weight in the form of lead strip. Attached files
Having reassembled the coach body to chassis, it's now time to add the bogies, passing the wires through the pickup bogie and soldering as usual. Attached files