Kernow 4TC by Bachmann

The TBSK has provision for a 21 pin DCC decoder, which serves all four cars, and a 15mm diameter loudspeaker for a sound decoder.  I am struggling to conceive of exactly what sort of sounds one uses for a trailer unit save for, perhaps, the rumble of steel wheel on steel rails, just the sort of low frequency sound a 15mm loudspeaker is absolutely hopeless at reproducing.  A unit without a chip runs well on a DCC layout, though a modeller with DCC has found the lack of a chip causes a short circuit in reverse loops due to the conducting length of a unit being much longer than a locomotive thus bridging two sections which shuld be isolated. So if you have DCC layout with a reverse loop you will need to install a chip in each unit. Each car has warm white interior lighting, directionally controlled headcode boxes (which in the forward direction are a bit too cool white for my liking) and high intensity headlights where appropriate.  None of the lighting on DC is constant voltage so it does vary with the amount of power applied.  When running with a locomotive the loco does not significantly electrically load power draw so there is no difference to the variation.  Under the TBSK are three switches allowing the headcode lamps at each end and the interior lights to be switched off on DC.  Inter-car couplings use the handed latching conducting (four circuits) claw coupling first used on Bachmann LU “S” stock and Continental unit models.  Although visually intrusive the advantages outweigh this disadvantage as they are far easier to couple and uncouple – especially whilst on the track - and are less prone to damage.    Every bogie has electrical pick-up on all wheels, the wheel flanges are about average for decent models these days, not finescale but far from being the pizza cutters of old, and a random check of back-to back measurements found them to be spot-on.  A four and eight car train runs reasonably freely, though all those pick-up do provide some additional friction.

(below) The close coupling arrangement - note the incorrectly coloured inter-car connection shroud - and the substantial but easy to couple and uncouple, and reliable, electrically conducting coupling. Note also the fine foot steps on the car ends

(above) fine inner end detail on the end a DTSO of unit 410, 32-644Z, prior to the supplied jumper cables being fitted.

The handedness of couplings permit a three car unit by not including the TFK, however renumbering of the cars and unit will be required.  Unlike Bachmann’s Desiros there is no under car lettering so you need to ensure TBSK and TFK are coupled to the right DTSO and the right way round, i.e. their corridors on opposite sides.  Here is a list of formations of the units modelled:

Unfortunately Bachmann/Kernow have modelled 8007 oriented as ADB977684 - ADB977686 - ADB977685 - ADB977687, i.e. the driving cars on the wrong ends (and as it has handed couplings it does not fit any other way). The obvious solution would appear to be to take off both driving car bodies and swap them around, however given lighting circuist are involved it is not known how easy this is to do.

(above) Fine roof detail, which compares well to photographs, on a DTSO

Returning to details, headcodes are changeable by way of interchangeable corridor connection doors – as on Bachmann’s 4Cep models.  Headcodes supplied are double white blanks (x2 – which illuminate red when on the rear) 91, 62, 90 and 69.  In TC use 91 being the legendary Waterloo – Weymouth (fast), 62 Waterloo-Salisbury (semi-fast), 90 Waterloo - Weymouth Quay (fast) and we are not yet sure what 69 is for in this context.  I would also have liked 80 Portsmouth Harbour – Reading, but no doubt I will eventually make my own for this using one double white blank.  Also separately supplied for fitting by the modeller are inter-car below-floor jumper cables, as are plastic tools to aid coupling and uncoupling.  I prefer to use a metal letter opener, and any such flat thin blade is just as effective.  Both overall blue versions come with their small BR arrows printed on but etched arrows are supplied for the modeller to fit over them.  Units are fitted, where appropriate, with effective representations of the correctly coloured curtains for their period, orange in early livery versions, grey on the later Premium Charter unit. Some modellers have queried whether the layout of tables in the DTSOs is correct as the models have tables in every bay except for the bays with a door. My recollection is that the tables were removable and there was no long-lasting definitive layout. Take the bodies off and the tables can be removed, but it has been found that they are then diffcult to re-instate later. I have a photograph of a DTSO interior (taken after withdrawal) which has tables at every bay except those with doors.

(below) TFK on the Premium Charter unit model, showing the correct grey curtains

These are the models which are produced:
32-640Z unit 416 BR overall blue with small yellow warning panels and etched BR arrows
32-641Z unit 404 BR blue & grey
32-642Z unit 8022 BR blue & grey with Network South East branding
32-643Z unit 8023 in late Network SouthEast livery. Note its trailer first has the compartment adjacent to the DTSO de-classified
32-644Z unit 410 overall blue with half height yellow warning panels and etched BR arrows, as used by the Premium Charter unit
32-646Z unit 8007 in BR Research red and blue livery

(below) DTSO of 32-642Z unit 8022 BR blue & grey with Network South East branding. Note tables in each seating bay except for the bay immediately behind the cab
(bottom) back to the beginnings of TC operation 32-640Z the original overall BR Blue version

(below) The BR Research Department version - said to be a particular hit with BR Derby fans.

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