isambird

Here I am again, with the freelanced locomotives on the Broad Gauge. Starting from the beginning how I came to this point, I'd have to tell you about @Annie's 4-2-4T freelance which started it all, and I'm glad for that because it just looked really good that I wanted to build something like it. Seeing how good it looked and it also being in a wheel arrangement I really like, I just had to build something like it. But when I did so, the results were quite... bad? mediocre? I don't know either. Maybe it was my lack of modelling experience at the time, because this was months ago. Looking back on it embarrasses me because of the many things I did incorrect. Or maybe because I just didn't put much effort in it as what I came up with was basically indistinguishable in my opinion. My first mention of it was in this blog post of my freelance designs "Kenstec" Having "improved a lot" looking back on this model just makes me laugh, to list the things wrong with the model, the side tanks are too wide, very wide sander yet no pipework, quite a modern smokebox, also a really wide door. In short, this model is basically old and looks off. Time-skip to today, neglecting and procrastinating all my school assignments due to asynchronous classes, I saw that @MikeOxon posted about his progress with building the Small Pearson Tank in the end bits of the post, he added in his 3d model of Dean's experimental single tank, which I've always found unique and beautiful in how it looked. Too bad it was a huge failure! Having reminisced on my old model, I decided that it was due for a new one. "Great Western" Featuring "Great Western" a new WIP project of mine that basically acts as Dean's single tank but on broad rails. Many parts of this freelance can be seen in real life locomotives such as the 517, Dean Single, Armstrong Class, and some other I forgot about. The process was just me loading in the old file and removing everything except for the wheels, which I turned into real ones instead of just cylinders with colors. Bunch of searching for references later and I think I've almost reached completion since as of now I think I only have to do the brakes, coal bunker and buffers left, maybe some other small details too. Really proud of how this looks like! Definitely a huge improvement if I say so myself.

Another train to talk about, and one of the more known broad gauge locomotives, "Iron Duke" I have actually made one of the Iron duke classes, which is Lord of the Isles, though it was inaccurate in basically everything. I have it shown on my entry about my 'finished' Rover Class. I've planned to make Iron duke after I finish the North Star, which never did since I started work on Iron Duke immediately when I was satisfied with North Star's progress. Though I was hesitant at first because the smokebox design really made me struggle as I had to figure out how to make it exactly like the real one instead of just making it like any other smokebox door. Another reason is that I didn't really want to make another tender, hence why I would usually stick to tank engine freelance or not. But I'm happy I started work on Iron Duke because once I finish the tender, I can reuse it for other locomotives that I plan to do, such as Pyracmon, Leo Class, possibly the rebuilt B&ER 4-2-4T (Tender version) and honestly anything else that used the tender. - Now that its the end of the post, here's some information about Iron Duke from Wikipedia. The Great Western Railway Iron Duke Class 4-2-2 was a class of 7 ft 1⁄4 in (2,140 mm) broad gauge steam locomotives for express passenger train work. The prototype locomotive, Great Western, was built as a 2-2-2 locomotive in April 1846, but was soon converted to a 4-2-2 arrangement, with the leading wheels set rigidly within the sandwich framing, rather than in a separate bogie. The remainder of the class entered service between April 1847 and July The Iron Duke locomotives were fast for their time, and were recorded reaching 78.2 mph (125.9 km/h). They were used to haul the Flying Dutchman express train, which was the fastest express train in the world for several decades. In 1852, the daily service from London Paddington to Exeter (194 miles or 312 km) was achieved with an average speed of 53 mph (85 km/h), with the flatter section between London and Swindon covered at an average speed of 59 mph (95 km/h). From about 1865, the Iron Duke Class was known as the Alma Class.

Thank you! The software I use is called "Roblox Studio" .

It's been real quiet since the last entry, and I do apologize for that. Didn't have time to work on stuff due to school and personal life events but nonetheless, I'm proud to show one of my almost-finished projects, the North Star.😀 - For those who want some info on North Star, read the Wiki articles below. The Great Western Railway (GWR) Star Class of 2-2-2 broad gauge steam locomotives were used for passenger train work. Designed by Robert Stephenson, the class was introduced into service between November 1838 and November 1841, and withdrawn between April 1864 and September 1871. A total of twelve Star Class locomotives were manufactured. Notably, they were given the romantic or colloquial (rather than scientific) names of astronomical bodies. By the time the last had been delivered, GWR engineer Daniel Gooch had designed and taken delivery of several of his larger Firefly Class. North Star (1837–1871) North Star arrived at Maidenhead Bridge station by barge on 28 November 1837; on 31 May 1838 it worked the inaugural train for the company's directors. In 1854 it was rebuilt with 16 in × 18 in (406 mm × 457 mm) cylinders and the wheelbase lengthened by 1 foot (305 mm). It was withdrawn in 1871 but kept at Swindon, along with Lord of the Isles, until 1906. It was then dismantled but many parts were recovered to build the later replica. 'The north star' is one of two common alternative names for Polaris (its other being 'the pole star'). It is the only visible polar star in either hemisphere, and has long been used for navigation due to its constant fixed and unmoving appearance due north in the night sky. The commercial park north of Swindon Station is called North Star after the engine and includes streets named North Star Avenue and Polaris Way. I'm really, really really glad that I started working on this project because I definitely enjoyed it a lot, seeing the different illustrations and conditions of North Star fascinated me. And what really piqued my interest is the fact that it was scrapped! Yes, scrapped! It was scrapped in 1906 and rebuilt in 1923, and it couldn't even run under its own steam, it had to be towed by another locomotive.

It's been some time since I've posted in here, so I thought I'd update on my current models. I've actually been brainstorming ideas on freelance designs, looking at many steam locomotives even if it had to be in standard gauge, even going as far as looking at mainland Europe! It was certainly a fun but quite tiring process, fortunately I have been able to create two new freelances, a Crampton Tank and a Tank rebuild of the Waverley class that would've seen service up till 1892. First locomotive that I will be showcasing is the Crampton tank! I'm actually really proud of this! And is one of my favorite models I've ever built. I took huge inspiration from the French Crampton locomotives, looking majestic as ever and quite the messy look. I've added a saddle tank since well It is a tank engine after all! It actually started as a 4-2-0, but one of the pair of wheels were in the way of the rods so I had to replace it with two smaller wheels, which to my surprise actually made me like it more. Second locomotive, the Crown Class! a fictional locomotive class in my fictional railway, the Crixcombe & Dinquay Railway. I was originally gonna build the real Waverley class but went a little overboard and ended up making stuff up, and then I was met with this. I'm actually thinking of applying the livery of the Crown Class to all my other locomotives, still needs some minor re-adjustments but nonetheless, quite a sight to behold. I also haven't mentioned that its a Well Tank :) So in summary, I've built a 6-2-0ST and a 4-4-0WT, the first being a product of French Cramptons and the latter cause of boredom. I look forward to some feedback as i think there may be some stuff wrong with them! Criticism would also be appreciated so I can learn more! :)

And my pain is over (not really). I have just finished my most favorite and most proud of model of any Broad Gauge locomotive, the Rover class! I've been building this for weeks, and I've shown my progress in my previous blog post about it. I don't really know what else to say so here! Left: New Right: Old

Today's blog entry features one of the most, if not, the most beautiful and very much popular broad gauge locomotives of the Great Western, the Rover (Or Alma) Class! From Wikipedia The prototype locomotive, Great Western, was built as a 2-2-2 locomotive in April 1846, but was soon converted to a 4-2-2 arrangement, with the leading wheels set rigidly within the sandwich framing, rather than in a separate bogie. The remainder of the class entered service between April 1847 and July The Iron Duke locomotives were fast for their time, and were recorded reaching 78.2 mph (125.9 km/h). They were used to haul the Flying Dutchman express train, which was the fastest express train in the world for several decades. In 1852, the daily service from London Paddington to Exeter (194 miles or 312 km) was achieved with an average speed of 53 mph (85 km/h), with the flatter section between London and Swindon covered at an average speed of 59 mph (95 km/h). From about 1865, the Iron Duke Class was known as the Alma Class. In May to July 1870, three locomotives (Great Britain, Prometheus and Estaffete) were extensively rebuilt with new frames and boilers, but retaining their original names. Following these, further locomotives were built to similar specifications, entering service between August 1871 and July 1888. These new locomotives are generally referred to as the Rover class. Although these locomotives took the names of withdrawn locomotives of the original design, they were not rebuilt from them like the first three, but entirely new locomotives (though it is believed that Rover, Swallow and Balaklava may have included some parts from the earlier locomotives of those names). Apart from the three conversions, the original locomotives were withdrawn between December 1870 and June 1884. Lord of the Isles (the last to be withdrawn) was initially preserved by the GWR at Swindon Works, but was scrapped in January 1906 owing to the pressure of space. The three conversions were withdrawn between September 1880 and October 1887, while the other locomotives to the later design were all withdrawn with the end of the GWR 7 ft 1⁄4 in (2,140 mm) broad gauge in May 1892 (except Hirondelle, which had been withdrawn in December 1890). Many of the nameplates can be seen at the National Railway Museum and at the Museum of the Great Western Railway, while the driving wheels from Lord of the Isles can also be seen at Swindon. Definitely a lengthy description but anyway, this locomotive class has been one of my favourites, and I did build the non-rebuilt class! The Iron Duke, I decided to build "Lord of the Isles" as it was the only Iron Duke locomotive I had the diagram for. "Lord of the Isles" (Though I did not build the nameplate) It's definitely inaccurate though, I made it too chunky. Now here's my new one that I've been working on, instead the rebuilt version of the class. "Rover Class" (I named it after a friend.) And as a special, I will include a photo of my also newly built B&ER Pearson tank No.41 in its GWR condition. My first locomotive to feature inside valve gear, though without the stephensons. Thank you for reading. =D

An interesting locomotive today, "Heron" from the Carmarthen & Cardigan Railway (C&CR) A Map of the Carmarthen & Cardigan Railway line From Wikipedia Heron (1861–1872) Magpie (1861–1872) The first two locomotives for the Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway were 4-4-0T locomotives with straight side tanks, built by Sharp Stewart and Company in 1861. After the line was converted to standard gauge in 1872, they were sold to the South Devon Railway and Cornwall Railway respectively, although the locomotives for both these railways were worked as a common pool. They were both rebuilt with saddle tanks. In 1876, they became the property of the Great Western Railway and carried the numbers 2134 and 2135. Magpie was withdrawn in 1889 but Heron lasted until the gauge conversion. It worked the last broad gauge train from Tavistock to Plymouth Millbay railway station on 20 May 1892 before pulling the empty carriages to Swindon railway works for dismantling. Heron in its Great Western Condition Heron in its South Devon Condition And finally, Heron in its original condition. Overall, in its entire working life, it was subject to a rebuild and a few other additions to it. What I find intriguing is that it was a side tank at first! You don't see that on the Great Western in its early days a lot, and since I had its diagrams (Side tank condition) I decided to build it, three times. (Two were side tanks, the most recent was its GWR rebuild) My first build of Heron, note that I was new and lack the experience I have today. So It might look quite bad. My second build of Heron, but named it Lane, after a certain person, I've forgotten who he was! And my latest build of Heron, but in its GWR rebuild. I figured that building the same locomotive 3 times was too repetitive and also really boring and just not as great as to work on as this, so I decided to build it in saddle-tank form, to give myself some challenge as everything here was referenced from pictures of it, this model also has internal valve gear! Although its only the crossheads and not including the actual Stephenson's valve gear, because I don't know how to rig that. :( My journey in building Heron was definitely a fun one, especially since the newest took me a few days as my internet was down for a couple of days. All I can say is that I'm really proud of it :)

A locomotive I've built for quite sometime now, before I had my own blog. But here it is now! The peculiar-looking 2-2-2ST locomotive "Snake", once a tender engine, converted to a tank engine. Here's the rest of the detailed information from Wikipedia. "Snake and Viper were built at the Haigh Foundry and delivered in September 1838. They had 14.75 in × 18 in (375 mm × 457 mm) cylinders and the driving wheels geared 2:3 to keep the cylinder stroke speed low while allowing high track speed, in line with Brunel's specifications. The boiler had a diameter of 39 in (991 mm) and was 9 ft (2,743 mm) long. Both locomotives became only really useful after modifications in the years 1839 till 1840 they had been rebuilt with 13 in × 18 in (330 mm × 457 mm) and conventional drive. Most probably they received their 6 ft (1,829 mm) driving wheels at the same time. They were later converted to 2-2-2T tank locomotives, possibly when they were sent to work the South Devon Railway in 1846, where they got the names Exe and Teign. The locomotives returned 1851. Snake operated till November 1869, Viper till January 1868. The boiler of Viper was afterwards used as stationary boiler in Shrewsbury." "Snake (Haigh Foundry 25; 1838–1869) Between 1846 and 1851 it carried a different name, Exe, while working on the South Devon Railway, after the River Exe; it reverted to Snake when it returned to the Great Western Railway." Do note that this may have not been its actual livery, but I think it looked quite nice If I say so myself.

Unfortunately not, since I am from a whole other continent I'm unable to afford to be a member as much as I'd like to. Thank you though

Today's blog post features my first post about rolling stock so hooray! This carriage is my first 'convertible', being a bogied coach. And this post also features my inability to find "good" enough diagrams that feature a side and front elevation, especially for later convertible locomotives and carriages. As of right now, I only have access to pre-convertible carriage/freight stock diagrams that have a side and front drawing, the earliest being from the 1830s till the 1860s (I'm not quite sure!) If anybody could assist me with finding them I may be able to produce more of these things! 😊 This convertible coach is a, First and Second Lavatory Luggage Composite Coach! (Quite the long name If I may add.) Now to save myself some trouble, I'm gonna include my first convertible Locomotive, the 3501 2-4-0T Class.

I agree David, thank you for the recommendation! Fusion 360 seems very nice and more refined, more detailed too but I wish to continue using Roblox Studio, as its the building software for the game "Roblox" which features other player-made games, I also follow a certain style where stuff may look very blocky, what we call Stud Style! I love your models too, they're just so amazing and great!

Nice to know! I've always been intrigued about Fowlers Ghost

Today's entry features an unconventional locomotive, something you probably wouldn't have in mind when asked about the Broad Gauge. That would be Fowler's Ghost! A Fireless 2-4-0 Outside Cylinder Locomotive to be put to service in the Metropolitan Railway, when it was still operating Broad Gauge. I have built it like a 'conventional' steam locomotive, using coal instead of fire bricks as its main fuel. I've also made it feature a quite odd livery for a GWR locomotive, which I'm very fond of. Nonetheless, It was a great building process and I'm very proud of what came to be the result, might even be my new favorite locomotive I've built!

Interesting, my life would be very much better had we preserved or taken photos of it.. 😆