Troy 's 20 Minute Bogie Side frames.

(made from scrap bits)

 

Most of my model trams use ready to run motorised bogies from either LGB or Aristocraft. As most of my scratch builds turn out to be 1:24 (roughly) they are in effect 'narrow gauge trams'. As a result of this the bogies are usually well hidden under the body and require little work.

With the latest London tram though I am using LGB bogies which really look too big for my model. However, since they are the best running beasties I've ever found I've come up with a cunning plan.

This is vaguely what I'm after,

 

 

And this is what I have to start with,

 

 

This following took about 20 minutes to complete. It still looks rough close up, but great in the garden.

 

1....Have big glass of red wine. (this stops you being too fussy about everything fitting together ok.)

2....Stick on piece of balsa wood to keep your wonderful new side frame from fouling the wheels.

 

 

3.....Trace out the shape you want. (best done with eyes closed. This will avoid disappointment later.)

 

 

4....Cut out 2 small bits of wood for the axle thingies (technical bit)

        Start searching for washers ect.

 

 

5....Stick washers and anything else you can find onto axle box thingies.

 

 

6....At this stage you should have something that looks like a piece of wood with washers and nuts stuck to it. (don't worry .It gets worse.)

 

 

7....On the real trucks it appears to have 4 springs that point down. Dig out the 3.5mm screws ..

 

 

and the glue gun. Stick them on the back of the frame, after chopping them up..

 

 

8....For the rivets I'm going to use HO track pins that have being cut down. (This gets very tedious and boring and I usually give up.)

 

 

9.....This does work if you have enough patience. I don't !

 

 

10......Now that you've reached this stage you can think about sticking it on the wood that you stuck on the bogie earlier. Best paint it first though.

 

 

Before painting add any extra detail needed. Luckily my ones will not be easily seen so I'm not going to bother.

 

 

I shall add the track brake later when the tram goes out for trials. This photo is missing the nuts on the axles. It looks better with them on.

Anyway. This takes 20 minutes for each side. For me it covers up oversized wheels. For someone else it may empty their junk box a bit !

Regards, Troy 2006.