Blue and white passenger coaches.

[Hrw-Amen]

I have been building a set of blue and white passenger coaches over the last few weeks. I wanted to style them after the old BR blue color scheme, but they are not copied from any BR pattern I hasten to add, just the general theme.

I think the part I did look at closely was the boogie. I went to the station where I live to look at them. They seem to have these huge bubbles for suspension. (I presume?) and although I did not touch any to find out, (Getting onto the track between train and platform would be a bad idea.) they did look like large rubber rings, but presumably made of a lot tougher stuff than a balloon? Having said that they may be for something else entirely, but none the less they inspired me to use that general look in the construction of the boogies.

Also I had been thinking for a while now to try using the aircraft window for a passengar coach, my reasoning being that essentially a plane and train are similar in that they are basically a long metal tube with people inside. I think that they look OK, but it would be better if they made them with the windows stretched width wise rather than two windows side by side. Still I haver made them now.

So far I have two normal wagons, a baagage wagon with half second class seating and a first calss one. I want to make a dining car but as it is I am almost out of those windows and the curved white bits for the roof. Maybe next month when I do a Bricklink order, we shall have to see?

http://www.flickr.co...157641079295213

[garethjellis]

I believe the "large rubber rings," are just like lorries and are air ride suspension bladders. The rubber balloon is filled with compressed air to give a smoother ride.

http://toplinehb.com/wp-content/uploads/0611ch_05_z+schwartz_chassis+air_ride_suspension.jpg

[JopieK]

Indeed, they work like springs, but are less rigid. In the last month issue of a Dutch model train magazine (RailHobby), there was an article about it.