Prototype Anatomy of a Thompson BZ Brake Van

S

Steve C

Guest
A visit to the Great Central Railway over the weekend found Thompson BZ Brake Van E70654E parked up in the yard at Quorn so thought I'd indulge in a bit of photography to snap the bits that only ever seem to appear as a blur - I'm going to tackle just such a vehicle myself at some point (probably in the next life) but thought they might benefit someone in between....

[note] phots removed following request from the thread author
 
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Dikitriki

Flying Squad
Thanks for posting; it's great reference material. The only problem is that I shall forget it's here when I come to do one:(

Richard
 

Phill Dyson

Western Thunderer
Thanks for posting Steve:thumbs:

Thanks for posting; it's great reference material. The only problem is that I shall forget it's here when I come to do one:(

Richard
You shouldn't have too much trouble as all the prototype detail pics are now 'Sticky' in the 'Gallery' :)
 

JimG

Western Thunderer
Interesting that the "W" irons are outside the springs. I wonder why? Maybe to give a bit more clearance for side play on the centre axle? I know that the "W" iron outside the springs was a method used in Victorian times - certainly by the Caledonian - but the method seemed to have died out by the end of the nineteenth century with the more common "W" irons inside the springs being used.

Jim.
 

daifly

Western Thunderer
Thanks for posting; it's great reference material. The only problem is that I shall forget it's here when I come to do one:(

Richard
I have the same problem so I've become an intellectual property thief and would, in this case, copy the photos to a folder on my computer enigmatically titled 'Thompson BZ brake van'. This in turn would reside in my 'Prototype photos' folder. It then become my first port of call when needing info.
 

Caggers

Western Thunderer
I have the same problem so I've become an intellectual property thief and would, in this case, copy the photos to a folder on my computer enigmatically titled 'Thompson BZ brake van'. This in turn would reside in my 'Prototype photos' folder. It then become my first port of call when needing info.

As long as you remember you put it there ;)

If you then put a notepad file there with the URL to this WT thread youwould then know the source of your pictures and could then come back and see if there is anything else added since the theft aquisition of pictures...

One might guess I have a similar process, but still forget what I have, accumulated.
 

7mmMick

Western Thunderer
Great pictures Steve, like Richard one day I will build one and this material will be of great use :thumbs:

ATB Mick
 

AJC

Western Thunderer
I believe that Comet supply some suitable bits for these interesting prototypes in 4mm. Thanks for taking the trouble of taking the pictures Steve. My six-wheel brake requirements are likely to be met at some point by the 5522 LMS stove that's in the drawer waiting for the mood to take me that way. Must actually finish a few things first however...

Adam
 
S

Steve C

Guest
My six-wheel brake requirements are likely to be met at some point by the 5522 LMS stove that's in the drawer waiting for the mood to take me that way. Must actually finish a few things first however...

Adam

If they are of use then I have similar type pictures of the undeframe of the Stove R which resides at Betws-y-Coed
 

45609

Member
Hi Steve,

Belatedly many thanks for posting these pictures of the BZ. A friend and I are trying to research this vehicle in some detail to build accurate 4mm scale models so your photos are of great interest. The current offering from Comet whilst OK lacks a bit in the underframe department. I have a copy of the works drawing for the underframe and your photos help understand the construction a great deal. Inevitably I still have questions and I'm trying to organise permission with RVP (Railway Vehicle Preservation group) to go and take some of my own photos and a few measurements. Unfortunately I've not had much luck in getting a response so far. I recall that the location of your photos is the UP siding at Quorn (adjacent to the car park) that is normally accessible to the public but I suspect the vehicle is not stored there permanently. So, as an open question to anyone who might know. Where is the BZ typically stored on the GCR when not in use and how often can it be seen at Quorn? Is it a regular appearance at gala events?

Cheers....Morgan

Interesting that the "W" irons are outside the springs. I wonder why? Maybe to give a bit more clearance for side play on the centre axle?

Jim, I think it probably more to do with the fact that the standard LNER carriage axlebox sat inside the frames on coach bogies so it was just a re-use of proven practice and components.
 

Macgeordie

Member
I thought I would resurrect this post as I have just finished creating a kit for this van and was wondering if I could get permission from the guest Steve C who posted the photos in the first post of this thread to use them in with the instructions I have written for the kit.
Here are a couple of photos of the second test build.

_MG_4457b.jpg _MG_4460b.jpg

Ian
 

AJC

Western Thunderer
That's very nice indeed, Ian. I could see myself succumbing to one of these (which reminds me, I must built the pair of 24.5 ton hoppers of yours that I've got!).

Adam
 
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