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BR York 4-TC Class 438 - by Kier Hardy
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Bachmann 4-TC Conversion & Detail
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A 4-TC set is seen on a charter service at Hornsey Broadway propelled by English Electric built
Electro-Diesel E6018. The 4 car non-powered (Trailer Control) sets were converted from mark 1
coaching stock at BR Holgate Road carriage works, York in 1966 & 1974. They were used on London
Waterloo to Bournemouth services on the 3rd rail with 4-REP units, and then onto Weymouth with
Class 33/1 diesel locomotives. The last set to wear this all-over blue livery was unit 424,
being repainted into blue/grey livery to match the rest of the fleet in November 1970.
Captured with BRCW type 3 (Class 33/1) D6511. These Trailer Control vehicles could be seen on
charter services with Class 33/1, 73 & 74 locomotives.
Another 4-TC unit in blue & grey livery has joined the fleet to join the existing all-over
blue liveried unit, as an 8-car charter was more likely to be observed. This view shows
the two units being propelled by a Class 73 (with the Bobby being quick off the mark putting
the signal back on as the lead vehicle passed by)!
As the units required propelling on a regular basis, Kadee buckeye couplings are used
between the sets for reliable operation. Due to the locomotive's buffing plate being in
the withdrawn position (so it can be used on other non-unit work or stabling), the buffers
on the end of the TC unit have been extended flush with the corridor connection to prevent
propelling buffers from catching through the curves.
Class 33/1 - 6527 propells an 8-car TC set into platform 2 at Hornsey Broadway.
Converted to EM Gauge using Gibson 12mm DMU disc wheels, whilst still retaining the central
section sprung electrical tabs which act on the underside of the internal circuit board for
stability. With no coach lighting required, the multi-pin connectors have been removed and
replaced with standard Kadee number 5 buckeye couplings. Folded black paper is fitted
between the corridor connections to fill the gap. This Bachmann/Kernow model has the brake
blocks set to OO Gauge, so gently squeezing the bracket (in a pair of smooth jawed pliers),
squashes them out to line up correctly with the EM wheelsets.
