Back to back..How to?

Rob,
I undertook an extensive investigation for Hornby to regauge the WC 4-6-2. The WC was one of the last 'new' Hornby models to be produced at the 16.3 B2B. Hornby advised me that all new locos from the Black 5 onwards are all going to to be made with 16.5mm B2B. With regards the WC, the tender and front bogie wheels are all easy to pull out to 16.5mm (they are supplied as 16.3mm). However, when you do this, you will need to place washers on the axles to reduce the side play. The pony truck under the cab is a bit of a problem because the axle is retained via a force-pressed stubb which needs drilling off to get the keeper plate off. Once this is done, the keeper plate will not fit back and you will need to drill a hole and use a self-tapper to screw it back on. The driving wheels are tricky. You need to remove them and pull the wheels off the ends of the axles. Do NOT twist them as the plastic wheel centres do have splines which you will ruin if you twist the wheels on the axles and then your quartering will not hold. The driving wheels really MUST have washers placed on the axles otherwise too much side-play results. Remember that when you pull out the gauge, the brake rigging will no long fit along the outside of the driving wheels. To get it to fit, you will need to resort to the time-tested methods of brass chassis kit builders and use a 'stretcher' threaded through the brake rigging hangers.
I hope this helps,
Graham Plowman - Makers of CMS Stock collection management software mrol.gppsoftware.com - Model Railways Online FREE downloadable magazine.

Wow, great help thank you. Rob

wrote
I don't think so. They may well have been produced with a back-to-back of 14.3 but never 16.3mm.
John.

Those 0.05mm thick by 1.5mm deep flanges would be a sight to see! ;-)

produced at back-to-back of John, You are quite right. Apologies for my finger trouble! Graham Plowman

wrote
;-)
John.