GWR and BR (WR) Models 21

 

This is a Dia. O13 brake coach, one of only four such vehicles, especially built just after the First World War, for milk trains.  Built from a now, no-longer-in-production Mallard / Blacksmith etched-brass kit, with special 'Milk Train Only' lettering transfers from POW Sides.

 

This extremely attractive little loco is my 'Armstrong Standard Goods', or 388 Class, No.1089.  These engines were introduced in 1866, and as the name suggests, were designed by Joseph Armstrong, who was William Dean's predecessor as Chief Mechanical Engineer for the Great Western Railway.  They did not however, look exactly like this when originally built (see page 2).  They had numerous boiler changes during their 60-year lifespan, and this particular model represents a typical loco in their final years, with Belpaire firebox, and coupled to a Dean 2500 gal. short-wheelbased tender.  No.1089 lasted in service until 1929 - the last of the class was withdrawn in 1934.  It was built from a Nu-Cast kit, and powered by a motor and 2-stage gearbox from High Level Kits.

 

No.3283 "Comet" is an example of a 'Duke' Class 4-4-0, as running in the late 1920s / early 1930s era.  Most 'Dukes' had, by this time, been rebuilt with Belpaire fireboxes (as above), as a replacement for their original round-topped ones.  This modification was generally accompanied by the fitting of a wide cab at the same time, but some, like no.3283 here, retained their narrow cabs (note the springs clearly visible on the outside of the cab's side sheet).  "Comet" was actually unique, in retaining its narrow cab up until withdrawal in 1950 (by then having been renumbered 9083 - in the 90XX series, along with all other remaining 'Dukes', and the 'Dukedog' / 'Earl' class locos).  This model was produced using a 3-D printed body, designed to fit directly onto the Bachmann ready-to-run 'Earl' / 'Dukedog' chassis and tender combination.  This body was purchased via ebay, and I have to say, is the best 3-D-printed model I have ever seen.  Hopefully more will be forthcoming in the not-too-distant future. 

 

The latest addition (September 2024) to the roster of locos for Coleston in its 1920s / 1930s guise.  This is No.2902 "Lady of the Lake", one of the first batch of 'Saints', built in 1906 (if you discount the experimental 4-6-0s and 4-4-2s, named mainly after titles and characters in Sir Walter Scott's novels).  These locos had straight footplates running along under the cabs, with three steps below for access by the crew.  Also notice the square drop end down to the buffer beam, and inside steam pipes (standard for the era).  This is basically the same configuration as the Great Western Society's No.2999 "Lady of Legend".  The model was built using an old Westward Models kit (now out of production, and rather rare, so I was extremely fortunate to acquire this one).

 

 

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