Jump to content
 

Bachmann 64xx Panniers


Mikkel
 Share

Recommended Posts

  • RMweb Gold

I had a little rummage around the web to find some photos of the 64xxs. Here's a selection of the nicer ones - thought I'd share the links here in case anyone is interested.

 

Both Russell's GWR locomotives and the Wikipedia site for the 64xx notes that one way to tell the difference between a 64xx and a 74xx was the join between the bunker and cab, with the 64xx class having a curved join and the 74xx having a straight join. This seems to be wrong. As quoted by Nick in the main Bachmann announcement thread, the RCTS volume states that no. 6430 was the first 64xx to have a straight cab/bunker join. This seems to fit with the photos found so far, except no. 6412 below, but it may have been modified during an overhaul?

 

This has certainly whetted my appettite - not to mention modifying one into a 74xx!  :locomotive:

 

Selected photos on the web:

 

No. 6403 at Snow Hill, 1937, cab/bunker join not clear, busy little engine!

http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrbsh1793.htm

 

No. 6407 (the one Bachmann are releasing in GWR livery), curved cab/bunker join, BR early crest:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phil-seaford/8208071267/

 

No. 6412, rusting away at Swindon, 1966 (?), straight cab/bunker join (?!):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60790501@N04/5809232761/

 

No. 6422 at Snow Hill, 1936, curved cab/bunker join, GWR Shirtbutton

http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrbsh1762.htm

 

No. 6430, preserved, straight cab/bunker join, w. auto coach:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rabbipx/6306401575/

 

No. 6435, 1960, BR early crest, - if you don't like this scene you're not human :-)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/taffytank/8428258962/

 

No. 6435, preserved straight cab/bunker join, lovely action shot:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/taffytank/5773103086/

 

No. 6437, Gloucester, 1963, straight cab/bunker join late crest lined out:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16749798@N08/4166048684/in/set-72157617567479618

 

No. 6438, straight cab/bunker join, GWR shirtbutton:

http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/photolib/transport/GWR%2064xx%20Class%20Locomotive%201955.htm

 

 

Drawings and overviews on the web:

 

64xx and 74 xx drawings:

http://www.champwilde.f9.co.uk/gwdrawings/locoindex.html

 

Jim Champ's "beginner's guide to GWR pannier tanks":

http://www.gwr.org.uk/nopanniers.html

 

 

Edited to add/modify links.

Edited by Mikkel
  • Like 13
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Thanks for this Mikkel.You will need one for your 1947 The Sidings project too. :no: Gloucester may have had one. One for researching.

 

Nice to see one in 1955 with shirtbutton livery.

 

6407 is one of the Laira six I mentioned earlier.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Yes I'm sure we are many who can see a slot for this! (I might go for a 74xx non-autto fitted mod for the sidings though).

 

I do wonder though if that 1955 date for no. 6438 is actually correct? 

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Thanks for posting Mikkle. I too am really looking forward to the Bachmann model. Lots operated in and around Plymouth over the years, I'll have a look through my collection and see if I can add anything to this thread.

 

Regards,

 

Nick.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Chassis (with smaller wheels) could be adapted for use in the 16xx. Could that be next?

 

If I'm not mistaken, that would also provide the chassis for a 2021, which - like the much later 16xx - also seems to have had 4' 1½ driving wheels and a 7'4" , 7'4" wheelbase.

 

In fact, you could argue that Bachmann could have done this chassis instead of the 64xx from the beginning, thereby allowing use of the same chassis for a pre-grouping (2021 with saddle tanks), grouping (2021 with panniers) and a BR built (16xx) loco. However, the first and last of these would miss out the GWR grouping modellers, whereas the 64xx addresses this segment plus the BR segment, so market-wise it is probably a wise decision...

 

I'm certainly content with the 64xx and associated 74xx option. This is the first of the "small" panniers we see in RTR form, although it could be argued that it's a hybrid between the small and large pannier classes as it has the body of the former but the wheels of the latter!

  • Like 4
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

A website here on the Saltash rail services including 64xx workings.  http://www.plymouthdata.info/Railways-GWR%20Railmotor%20Service.htm

 

There's a photo on ebay (auction ended, so won't link to it here) showing a 64xx at Saltash in 1959 with 4 autocoaches. Bachmann could argue that you'll need 4 of their coaches - I wonder if they'll provide different numbers! 

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

There's a photo on ebay (auction ended, so won't link to it here) showing a 64xx at Saltash in 1959 with 4 autocoaches. Bachmann could argue that you'll need 4 of their coaches - I wonder if they'll provide different numbers!

Most Motors were two corridor connected auto cars to Dia's Q, R, V, W & X.

 

 

SS

 

Edit to add Dia X

Edited by Siberian Snooper
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Presumably the "unrecorded station" is Plymouth in this shot of an unlined 6400 ? :

 

http://www.semaphoresandsteam.com/p150609566/h420afc44#h420afc44

 

Probably two years premature, but there are colour photographs in "Western Steam in Colour" by Hugh Ballantyne (Jane's) on pp38-39 of a lined 6430 on a Yeovil "shuttle" and a lined 6400 at rest at Tavistock South (8/8/61) which might prove very useful for weathering purposes. The one of 6400 is an excellent close-up view and I think it is a cropped version of the photo thumbnail used on Bachmann's site 

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Very glad to see this class being modelled at last, saves time on trying to find the white metal kit for it!

Looking at RailUK 6403 was sheded in Bristol at nationalisation, so I think that will have to be modelled. 

Will be interested to hear any more about it, I am assuming no top feed?

 

 

Think I will be emailing High Level tomorrow to state my interest in a replacement chassis for it.....

Link to post
Share on other sites

What odds Bachmann go for the easiest option and produce the slightly earlier 54xx? Same body but 5'02 wheels, the same (haven't checked crank position or spoke number) as the Collet goods.

 

Maybe too small a difference to be worthwhile :jester: .

Link to post
Share on other sites

...I do wonder though if that 1955 date for no. 6438 is actually correct?

That photo is actually a very poor version of the one in fig 508 of Russell vol 2. It looks rather like an official photo so makes me wonder about that guy's claim to copyright.

 

Nick

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Another interesting feature that I've so far only seen on members of the first lot (6400-9) but haven't found any mention of. The best picture is 6403 in an early-mid thirties photo (Russell fig 507, see also 5403 in fig 501). It is also visible on some of the photos posted above and not always on the same side. This is a vertical plate about 4-6" wide from tank edge to running plate, towards the front of the middle splasher. It appears to be carrying a small box of some form (oil?). Mounted just in front of this is a more conventional oil box with about four oil pipes emerging from the bottom and disappearing towards the frames.

 

Presumably an early feature that was removed later as I've not seen it on post war photos, so may not be of much interest unless you are contemplating serious surgery on your Bachmann model...

 

Nick

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...