Entry posted by buffalo
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Over on the Hornby forum, a thread called New Hornby 28xx/38xx has been running since late September. As the various versions of these models have been released discussions have turned, as they often do, to which of the prototypes had which features and when. Now, I bought one of the models that represents the NRM's 2818 because I wanted something that would pass for a reasonable representation of an early example of the class.
It is a good model and has a livery and general appearance that could place it anywhere from WW1 until the mid-1930s. As such, I reckoned that I could get away with running it as it comes and worry about any changes needed to represent a particular prototype at a specific date later. After all, it is a very quick way to get a 28XX and I have too many other things I want to build before I could contemplate the Finney kit.
A week or two back I mentioned the 28XX on Mikkel's blog and, being a fellow admirer of the Edwardian GWR, he asked whether I intended to backdate it. This, and the above-mentioned thread discussion got me thinking that I should write down everything that might need to be changed. Rather than doing this on a scrap of paper that I might later lose, I thought it might make an interesting blog entry, and might even be of some use to others.
The first thing to realise about this model is that it represents the preserved example in the NRM. In other words, it is a cleaned up and repainted version of the loco that was withdrawn in October 1963. It was the sole survivor with the early square stepped, rather than curved, footplate and inside steam pipes when all others had been either scrapped or converted to use the later smokebox saddle castings and outside steam pipes. Whilst this gives it a certain 'antique' appearance, it must be remembered that this is really the loco that was shown in an Swindon ex-works photo in 1957 and so incorporates many other modifications made since its original build in December 1905.
So the following is a list of features, starting at the front and working backwards, that might need to be added or removed from the model to match a particular prototype at a specific date. I've left out details not visible on the model, such as cylinder size, differences in the front frame extensions and so on.
- Buffers: the model is fitted with parallel shank buffers. Whilst these appear to be the norm (there are exceptions) on the 2884/38XX class, they are a later substitution for the original tapered variety on the 28XX. As yet, I have no information on when such changes were made. 2818 had parallel buffers when out-shopped in 1957. Note that a parallel buffered engine might be coupled with a taper buffered tender. Some photos suggest that the Hornby 2812 model is fitted with taper buffers, but this is yet to be confirmed. Strangely, Hornby appear to have fitted taper buffers to their 38XX model.
- Buffer beam bracing bars: fitted on the model, these were introduced with the curved step on the 2831 series from 1911. Fitted to earlier locos at this time, or soon after.
- Pony truck swivel cover: on 2856-83 built in 1918-1919, a Cartazzi truck was introduced and a bell shaped cover fitted over the swivel on top of the footplate (also familiar on moguls and prairies). Earlier locos had this fitted subsequently. The model has the bell-shaped cover.
- Brass works plate on front of smokebox saddle: not on the model, this was discontinued in 1912 from 2836 onwards, and gradually removed from earlier locos.
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Upper lamp iron: from 1933 onwards the lamp iron was moved from on top of the smokebox to the upper part of the smokebox door. Hornby have compromised here, there is no upper lamp iron
Perhaps the NRM's prototype is similarly deficient?
- Smokebox: earliest examples with D2 boiler (see below) were built with a short smokebox that extended only a little way in front of the saddle. Presumably, these were replaced by the extended form at one of their boiler changes. I have not seen an example of a D4 boiler with a short smokebox, but there are photos of D2 boilers with the extended form. The model has the extended smokebox and D4 boiler.
- Superheater: all of 2800-2830 were fitted with superheaters at boiler changes between 1909 and 1913. Initially, an external damper was fitted but all were removed soon after WW1. The model is superheated but without the external damper.
- Chimney: 97 and 2801-20 initially had a narrow copper-capped chimney. A larger chimney was fitted from 1907 onwards. Cast iron chimneys were introduced in 1918. 2856-83 were fitted with a plain variety and subsequent builds carried a final type, similar in shape to contemporary copper-capped chimneys on other classes. This pattern eventually reached most of the class, with few of the earlier patterns surviving beyond 1945. I believe the chimney on the model is correct for this final pattern.
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Saddle casting, outside steam pipes and curved footplate step: all of the 2801-2830 and 3831-2883 series were built with inside steam pipes passing through the saddle casting. These castings were later replaced with a simplified type through which only the low pressure exhaust steam was passed. In the revised version, high pressure steam was delivered through outside steam pipes. Most, though not all, were eventually converted to the later pattern.
The first three to be converted to outside pipes in 1934 were 2808, 2820 and 2828. These retained the square step, but those converted from 1935 onwards were also changed to the curved step. Almost all 28XX received outside steam pipes eventually, the process continuing right up to the late 1950s.
2818 was withdrawn to the NRM, and 2805, 2815, 2825, 2863 and 2868 were scrapped without getting them.
2871-4, 2879 and 2883 appear to have still been running without them when the RCTS volume was witten.
2877, 2880-1 had been scrapped, but it appears uncertain whether they had them or not (I suspect probably not).
- Boiler: of the 1905-7 'square step' locos, 2800-2821 and 2826-2830 were built with the older D2 'half-cone' boiler and 2822-2825 were built with the D4 'full-cone' boiler. By 1928, all had been fitted with the D4 type. In between these dates, however, most could have been seen with either boiler type. Indeed, 2820 changed types no less than seven times before finally settling on the D4. In contrast, all of the curved frame series (2831-2883) built 1911-1919 were initially fitted with D4s, and only about twenty of these spent any time with a D2, all reverting to D4 by 1930. The model has the D4 boiler.
- A second boiler support plate: another, less prominent, boiler 'support' was provided on the early series (2801-30). This was placed below the second boiler ring, just behind the second driving axle. It was discontinued on the 2831 series and may have been removed from some earlier locos, though it is not always easy to see on photos. The second plate is on the model.
- Top feed: introduced from 1911. The first to be fitted, 2802, had its feed clacks initially positioned between the safety valve and chimney. All others received the conventional GWR pattern of feed valves alongside the safety valves. The model has top feed and short valve casing. Previously, the water feed had been from below, towards the front of the boiler.
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Safety valve bonnets: the model is fitted with a short safety valve bonnet. 2801-2883 were probably all fitted with tall safety valve bonnet when built, whereas the 2884/38XX series received a short bonnet. Eventually, most of the earlier locos appear to have had the shorter bonnet fitted. So far, the latest dated photo that I've seen showing the tall bonnet is of 2872 in 1945 at the time of converting to oil burning. A photo of 2853/4810, presumably at or soon after conversion (so probably 1947) shows a short bonnet.
Craigw adds that, in "Great Western Steam 1934-1949", there are photos of an unidentified outside steam pipe loco in 1947, and 2808 with outside pipes in 1948, both with the tall bonnet.
Initial photos of the Hornby 2812 model show that it has a tall bonnet.
- Rear sand box fillers: from 1918-9 onwards the rear sand box fillers were modified to allow filling from the sides. Previously the fillers were in the cab. The model has the modified fillers.
- Cab windows: it appears that none of the Hornby models include the small 'portholes' over the firebox. These were a feature of Churchward-era cabs and were probably original fittings on all of the 28XX series. 2884s did not have these and they appear to have been removed and plated over on most/all 28XX, probably during the 1930s.
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Tenders: 2801-2830 initially had 3000 gallon tenders. From 2831 onwards, a 3500 gallon tender was introduced. Subsequently this became standard for the earlier locos.
Information from Craigw indicates that the model tender is of a later type. Snap head rivets suggest that it is at least lot A97 (Dec 1917). Larger springs, the transverse vacuum cylinder immediately in front of the middle axle, and the separate dome and filler would place it in the mid-1920s. This particular tender may have become the standard fitting for the 2884 series.
One photo of 2803 as built shows the 3000 gallon tender. This has a transverse vacuum cylinder, but it is mounted further forward than that on the model, immediately behind the leading wheels and it does not extend to the full width of the frames. Another photo shows 2831 as built with the 3500 gallon tender. Here, it looks as though the vacuum cylinder is mounted lengthways towards the left side between the front and centre axles. Both have the lighter springs, are flush rivetted and have the single 'extended D-shaped' cover over the dome and filler.
So far, I've only found a couple of undated, but pre-nationalisation, photos of 28XX with tenders that could be of the type as on the model. It may prove to be wider problem, not just one for those who want to try backdating to Edwardian times. At least it is correct for the 2884/38XX series and, probably for some (most?) post-nationalisation 28XX).
- Livery: 2801-2820 were finished in lined green when built. 2803 was reported in black with red and white lining in 1906, similar to that on the prototype 97 (2800 from 1912) when it was built in 1903 (97 was repainted in lined green in 1906). Lined green discontinued from 1915 (this suggests that all up to 2855 may have been lined initially, though I haven't seen any direct evidence of this). The model has the plain green unlined livery.
Next step: choose a date and a number. For this, I'll need earlier data than the 1935, 1938 and 1948 allocations given by Veal and Goodman...
Maybe more to be added here, watch this space...
In the meantime, please let me know of any errors or ommissions.
Sources:
- Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, Part 9, Standard two-cylinder classes, RCTS, 1962
- Colin Veal and Rev. John Goodman, Heavy Freight: 28XX and 38XX Consolidations of the Great Western, GWS, Didcot, 1980.
- J H Russell, A Pictorial Record of Great Western Engines, Volume two, OPC, 1975.
All are well-known and usually reliable secondary sources in which the authors have made use of original Swindon documents. Any errors in interpretation here are mine.
Edited 14/12/2010 to correct descriptions of chimneys and safety valve covers (thanks to steam69).
Edited 16/12/2010 to add information on early tenders and survival of tall bonnets (thanks to Craigw).
Edited 29/12/2010 to add information about cab windows (lack of small portholes) (thanks to this post by Captainalbino).
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