GWR and BR (WR) Models 20

 

No. 1896 is an 1854 Class 0-6-0PT, seen here in post-World War II GWR green livery.  Originally built as saddle tanks back in Victorian days, they were mostly (if they lasted in service long enough, and were not withdrawn first) rebuilt with pannier tanks in the early years of the 20th century.  This class of loco was almost identical to the 2721 Class, and here lies the origin of this model - a Hornby 2721 Class with modified coupling rods (plain instead of fluted) - basically the only exterior difference.  The model was also fitted with lamp irons (and a lamp !), to improve its appearance, and narrow tension-lock couplings.

 

'Saint' Class No.2932 "Ashton Court", in full 1920s GWR lined green livery.  This model was built using a South Eastern Finecast kit, on a Comet chassis, and, mainly to save construction time, I coupled it to a Bachmann 3500 gal. Churchward tender.  This use of a ready-to-run tender is a good ploy actually (and one I have used many times in the past, for myself and for customers), because the cast white-metal tender supplied in the kit is exceptionally heavy, and is basically dead weight, so using a lighter, ready-to-run tender, saves this weight, and therefore allows the loco to have a greater haulage capacity.  

 

Late in 1929, 'Duke' Class no.3265 "Tre Pol and Pen" was withdrawn from service, with its curved frames in a poor condition.  Also in Swindon works at the time was the condemned 'Bulldog' no.3365 "Charles Grey Mott".  The 'Bulldog's' frames were still serviceable, so the decision was made to rebuild "Tre Pol and Pen" with the frames of the 'Bulldog', which allowed the light axle loading and 'yellow' route availability of the 'Duke' to be retained, making it invaluable for the lightly-engineered Cambrian section, and the similarly loaded Didcot, Newbury and Southampton line.  The 'Bulldogs', having larger boilers, were much heavier, so not suitable for these lines. 

This loco remained unique until 1936, when similar problems arose - the GWR needing locos with good hauling capacity but with light axle loading, but many 'Dukes' having time-expired frames, so the decision was made to create a whole new class along the lines of "Tre Pol and Pen", using frames of withdrawn 'Bulldogs' carrying boilers and cabs from 'Dukes'.  This new class was originally to be called 'Earls', and indeed nameplates were made.  However, the peers whose names were to be used, were not happy being associated with locos of such antiquated-looking appearance, so the plates were transferred to 'Castles' instead.  The new class, being rebuilds of two previous classes, were quickly dubbed 'Dukedogs' by enginemen, and the name stuck.

"Tre Pol and Pen" retained its name (the only 'Earl / 'Dukedog' to do so) and running number until 1946, when it was renumbered into the 9000 series along with the other members of the class, and also any remaining curved-framed 'Dukes' still in service. 

This model then, has "Tre Pol and Pen" in its 1930 livery, with Great Western in full on the tender.  By the time the other 'Dukedogs' were built, the 'shirtbutton' or 'roundel' motif had been devised, so the remainder of the class carried this, and therefore "Tre Pol and Pen" was the only loco of this class to carry this particular livery.

 

Another 9-tank 'Cordon' gas wagon, only this time in N-Gauge (see page 18 for a 4mm scale version).  This model was built using a Great Western Replicas laser-cut wooden kit for the superstructure, and, for speed of construction, robustness and long life, I mounted it on a Dapol 20T mineral wagon chassis.  Perhaps not totally accurate, but........ 

 

No. 1618 is a 1076 or 'Buffalo' Class 0-6-0 saddle tank.  Constructed in 1880, most of the class in the 20th century were converted to pannier tanks, but this one was the last saddle-tank version to remain in service, until May 1929.  Built from an M&L kit.

 

This interesting vehicle is a compressor van.  A one-of-its-kind conversion in 1903, from an 'Iron Mink' box van, to house compressor equipment for engineering workers.  It lasted in this guise until 1937.  Built by my good friend David Brighty from a Ratio 'Iron Mink' kit.  

  

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