GWR 682 – ex-Cardiff Rly 0-6-0ST

[RosiesBoss]

Introduction

 

Why do we make models of certain prototypes? I suppose it’s because we can!

 

For this project, I chose to model ex-Cardiff Railway 0-6-0ST 682 – the last member of its small class to be converted to pannier tanks in 1939. (Ref.1) This model sort of chose itself, as I had in my scrapbox a 2nd-hand K’s chassis with (scale) wheelbase 6’6”+6’9”, which, when turned around, could work for the 6’6”+6’3” wheelbase of 684. (This chassis had been bought for about A$50 at a “bring & buy” stall at a model railway show about 3 years ago.)

 

Drawings of the class of four were found in Ref.3. I chose to model the loco in its “westernised” condition, complete with GWR safety valve bonnet and injectors, as seen in some photos. Photos of the class as saddle tanks are much scarcer than after they were converted to pannier tanks. However some of the same general design were sold into industrial use, as seen in Refs.6 & 7. One of those has survived into preservation, so the industrial cousins are helpful in clarifying some details that are unclear in the rare images of the GWR examples.

 

Most of the body could be fabricated from copper or brass sheet, with the saddle tank adapted from a 3D print of a J94. Other details would come from my parts bin, scrapbox, the printer or my lathe. Given current COVID-19 issues, I planned to avoid purchasing anything not already to hand or able to be turned, fabricated or printed.

 

When finished, the model would fit into my group of South Wales models (see Appendix).

 

Construction

 

The 2nd-hand chassis was a mess!

 

 

It required the following to restore it to running:

·         Motor rotated on frames to achieve correct polarity

·         Fabrication and installation of new pickups

·         Rewiring

 

On the bright side, the plastic-centred K’s wheels still ran true and were tight on their axles. After these modifications, it then ran sweetly, even through 1st radius curves.

 

 

The footplate, buffer beams and cab/bunker components were cut out from 0.5mm thick copper sheet (very old stock in my scrapbox). Valences were cut from L-section brass, then soldered under the footplate. Buffer beams were then added. Wheel splashers were fabricated from brass and copper sheet, then soldered into place while ensuring that there was enough clearance for all driving wheels.

 

Seen from the side, it was obvious that the profile of the K’s underframe wasn’t right at each end, so thin brass skirts were soldered to the underside of the footplate, the edges of which would be disguised by sandboxes.

 

The cab/bunker parts were soldered to the footplate, starting with the sides, then trimming/adjusting other parts to suit.

 

Steps and dummy front frames, seen above the footplate next to the smokebox, were then added.

 

A 3d-print was made of a J94:

 

The saddle tank was removed from the rest of the print, trimmed to length and then hollowed out.

 

Firebox and smokebox mouldings were trimmed to fit the footplate assembly. The moulded smokebox door, chimney and dome were cut off and the remaining bare tank sanded smooth.

 

Visible lower parts of the smokebox and firebox were extended with thin polystyrene sheet. The motor and gears were screened by additional thin plastic sheet.

 

Test fitted to body:

 

The “face” of this loco is quite distinctive, with a prominent rivet pattern surrounding the smokebox door. This was prepared from thin brass sheet, cut to size, with rivets simulated by lightly punching them from behind. The sheet was then super-glued to the front of the tank. The smokebox door was then attached. The “piano lid” valve cover was made from balsa and glued in place. Imperfections in the saddle tank print were filled with car body filler and then sanded smooth.

 

Dummy leaf springs, injectors and the reversing rod were then added.

 

Some more filler was applied and smoothed, then boiler fittings were turned from brass and fitted, followed by the cab floor, buffers, couplings and sandboxes.

 

The handbrake control rod was soldered together from oddments of brass. The reversing lever was adapted from a spare signal lever from a Springside kit. A 3D-printed backhead was detailed slightly with extra pipes (stripped single-core electrical wire) and a regulator handle (scrap brass strip).

 

The cab roof was cut from thin brass sheet, curved to shape, then reinforced under each side with pieces of square-section brass tube. (These locate it in place and allow an un-soldered fit.) A piece of copper sheet was cut to size and soldered to the top to represent the roof ventilator.

 

 

 

 

The tank filler and its handle, smokebox door lock, handrails, whistle and lamp brackets were made up and fitted.

 

 

Finishing

 

I chose to apply GWR green, with “cast” numberplates, but no “Great Western” lettering, as implied on p.54 of Ref 4 and as illustrated in the rare images of this class in GWR livery (eg Ref.5).

 

The body of the finished model was spray primed grey, any remaining blemishes removed, then brush painted to finish. HMRS number and route availability transfers were applied to the buffer beam and cabside. Home printed numberplates were fitted to the cabsides. The windows were glazed and a crew fitted. Finally, the loco was coaled.

 

 

682 doesn’t look out of place when seen near other absorbed South Wales locos:

 

The model is not quite as powerful as the 0-6-2s, but that’s ok – the real ones weren’t either. Still, it pulls a very respectable load anyway.

 

Reflections

 

Many modellers now avoid the types of skirts used here to hide the motor. This approach was considered, but would have required the use of a new motor, gearbox and replacement wheels, as the plastic-centred K’s wheels would not have survived being disturbed. (Ask me how I know!) Given that one of the prime objectives was to avoid buying any modelling resources, I used what I had.

 

I estimate that the total cost of the components purchased “just in case” over time would not have exceeded A$75. The current list price of a generally similar Agenoria kit is around GBP210 – around A$390 (not including airmail to Oz). A Hornby RTR Peckett 0-6-0ST is listed at GBP103 – around A$190. A Finecast 1854 class kit (without wheels, axles, gears or motor) is listed at GBP89.50 – about  A$165. I believe I’ve achieved good value for money and had a lot of enjoyment for my A$75.

 

Parts list

·         Motorised whitemetal K’s chassis – probably for a J65 class

·         3D-printed J94 class body from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3705470

·         3D-printed injectors, backhead and sandboxes (all designed on FreeCAD and home-printed)

·         Buffers (new, old-stock H0 scale NSWGR lost wax castings)

·         Chimney, dome & safety valve cover (home-turned brass)

·         Whistle (Peter’s Spares)

·         Scale couplings (new, old-stock H0 scale NSWGR lost wax castings)

·         Springs – resin parts from Casula Hobbies

·         Tension-lock couplings (Hornby)

·         0.4mm dia phosphor bronze wire for pickups & handrails

·         Handrail knobs (misc. commercial turned brass) – used also for smokebox “dart” and tank filler handle

·         Crew: Dapol

·         Smokebox door (from old Airfix City of Truro)

·         Brass & copper sheet

·         Domestic office staples – for lamp brackets

·         Printed circuit board material for pickups

·         8 BA screws, nuts & washers

·         Humbrol and Tamiya paints

·         HMRS “Pressfix” transfers

 

Appendix: South Wales Loco Models

 

Absorbed locos:

·         3 (ex-Barry Rly 0-4-4T): Modified Craftsman etched brass kit of LSWR T1 class

·         83 (Rhymney Railway P class 0-6-2T): Rebuilt from Dublo ex-LNER N2

·         151 (ex-Cardiff Railway Kitson 0-6-2T): Scratchbuilt

·         411 (Taff Vale O3 class 0-6-2T): Wills body on scratchbuilt chassis

·         680 (ex-ADR 0-6-0ST): Scratchbuilt body on 2nd-hand H0 chassis

·         968 (ex SHT 0-4-0ST): Modified 3D printed body on Hornby L&Y Pug chassis

·         1346 (ex-ADR 0-6-4T): Scratchbuilt

·         1670 (ex-Brecon & Merthyr Railway 0-6-2T): Rebuilt Dublo body on scratchbuilt chassis

·         2161 (ex-Brecon & Merthyr Kerr Stuart Victory class 0-6-0T): Centre Models kit

·         2195 Cwm Mawr ( ex- BP&GVR 0-6-0ST): Modified Hornby Smokey Joe body on 2nd-hand H0 chassis

·         3026 (30XX class ROD 2-8-0): K’s kit

 

GWR designs:

·         848 (517 class 0-4-2T): Kitbashed from Airfix body on scratchbuilt chassis

·         1195 (388 class 0-6-0): Kitbashed from Mainline, Wills and Airfix parts

·         1565 (1076 class 0-6-0PT): Modified Hornby body on Wills chassis

·         1890 (1854 class 0-6-0PT): Wills kit

·         2251 (2251 class 0-6-0): Kitbashed from Tri-ang & Airfix parts

·         2322 (2301 class 0-6-0): Hornby

·         2573 (2301 class 0-6-0): K’s kit

·         2620 (26XX class 2-6-0): K’s kit

·         2783 (2721 class 0-6-0PT): Detailed Hornby

·         2518 (28XX class 2-8-0): K’s kit

·         2953 Titley Court (29XX class 4-6-0): Kitbashed from Tri-ang, Dublo & Airfix parts

·         3515 (3201 class 2-4-0): Kitbashed from Mainline, Airfix and Rivarossi (H0) parts

·         4034 Queen Adelaide (40XX class 4-6-0): Unknown whitemetal kit

·         4508 (45XX class 2-6-2T): Lima model rebuilt with Crownline kit

·         4833 (48XX class 0-4-2T): K’s kit

·         4908 Broome Hall (49XX class 4-6-0): Upgraded Tri-ang

·         5025 Chirk Castle (4073 class 4-6-0): Upgraded Dublo

·         6435 (64XX class 0-6-0PT): Rebuilt Hornby

 

References and Further Reading

 

1.       RCTS “The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway – Part 10 – Absorbed Engines 1922-1947” (RCTS, 1966)

2.       J.H.Russell: “A Pictorial Record of Great Western Absorbed Engines” (OPC, 1978)

3.       Railway Modeller, June 1988

4.       J.Lewis et al.: “Great Western Way” (2nd ed., HMRS, 2009)

5.       http://www.gwr813.org/GWR682a.htm

6.       https://rcts.zenfolio.com/industrial-and-light/industrial-steam/national-coal-board/other/hA0FD7990#ha0fd7990

7.       https://rcts.zenfolio.com/industrial-and-light/industrial-steam/national-coal-board/other/hA0FCED4F#ha0fced4f

 

 

[exet1095]

I love your engines. When I was at school, back in the 1980s, I used to do things like this. I now dither with indecisive worry, and hardly build anything at all.

 

Thank you!

 

Paul

Edited March 1, 2021 by exet1095