Belpaire boilered 650 Class

[John M]

Having designed a kit that covered 5 major variations of the ex-MGWR 2-4-0s (with round topped firebox) in GSR/CIE days, I guess that it was more or less inevitable that sooner or later I would receive a request for a version with the GSR Y Boiler with Belpaire firebox.. 

 

I produced a revised version of the kit rather than scratchbuilding  the new parts to simplify repetition and avoid hand cutting the parts. While the drafting and assembly process has taken longer than it would have taken to scratchbuild the parts, I would have struggled to achieve a similar standard of finish by scratchbuilding (effects of ageing). 

 

The photos are mainly to highlight defects before the next stage of assembly and completion, chimney and dome require further fettling and fitting before they are secured in position.

 

Modelers are largely dependent on photographs and guess work in modelling GSR locos as Inchacore does not appear to have updated  diagrams or drawings as locomotives and rolling stock was  re-built following the amalgamation, to date researchers have been unable to locate diagrams or drawings which show details of the amendments carried out to locos such as the ex-MGWR 2-4-0s following the 1925 Amalgamation.

 

The boiler and firebox are designed on similar principals to Malcolm Mitchell kits with half etched cladding and internal formers in contrast to the round topped version with full thickness pre-formed boiler and firebox with the boiler bands recessed into the cladding to provide the same band thickness. 

 

 650 Class 2-4-0 with Y superheated boiler.

 

MGWR Ks/GSR 650 Class with post 1918 canopy cab and superheated boiler.

 

 

[John M]

Further progress on the Y Boiler 650 Class.

 

Loco assembled from production etches, the chimney needs to be reduced in height and master produced snifting or anti-vacuum valve at rear of smokebox

 

 

 

 

[Patrick Davey]

Wow - sensational work! Lovely prototype too!!

[cctransuk]

On 12/10/2019 at 06:36, John M said:

Further progress on the Y Boiler 650 Class.

 

Loco assembled from production etches, the chimney needs to be reduced in height and master produced snifting or anti-vacuum valve at rear of smokebox

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know the prototype - but is the smokebox rivetting a little too pronounced?

 

Regards,

John Isherwood.

[Irish Padre]

John I, overall I think it’s a fair representation - and possibly the sun is causing a distortion by shadow. The real things had fairly chunky rivets....image courtesy of Mike Morant’s smug mug site....https://transportsofdelight.smugmug.com/RAILWAYS/IRISH-RAILWAYS/GREAT-SOUTHERN-RAILWAY-STEAM/

 

 

 

 

Edited October 14, 2019 by Irish Padre

[cctransuk]

2 hours ago, Irish Padre said:

The real things had fairly chunky rivets....

 

Having seen that photo - I'd agree !

 

Regards,

John Isherwood.