The Forum for Gauge 3 Model Trains

Live Steam and Model Engineering => Battery Powered Locomotives => Topic started by: John Candy on Jul 17 2020 18:15

Title: 2257 rides again!
Post by: John Candy on Jul 17 2020 18:15
Straight from the paintshop, No.2257 stands ready.... but nowhere to go!

When the decision was originally taken to build a 2251 Class (and the Bulldog 3406 "Calcutta") it was expected they would be star attractions on the Monkton Priors layout. That scenario is now unlikely to be realised.

About 2257.
The first of the 2251 class 0-6-0 ("Collett Goods") entered service in 1930, with the intention of becoming replacements for the remaining 2301 class ("Dean Goods").
The first Lot (261) of twenty were numbered 2251 to 2270 and looked very modern by comparison with other 0-6-0s in having a cone (taper) boiler with drumhead smokebox and a large cab.

They were more powerful than the 2301 Class but also heavier, which restricted use on the lighter-laid lines (including much of the Cambrian section).
They soon proved themselves very capable engines and were to be found on all types of traffic on main lines as well as branches, even deputising for failed express passenger locos on occasions.

Although at first glance the whole class (which ultimately numbered 120 locos) appear to be the same, closer examination reveals a number of differences between the various Lots.

2257 is modelled in original condition, with following features which stand apart from later Lots.

It has a "Pole" (lever-operated) reverser (only fitted to the 20 locos of Lot 261 and eventually replaced by the screw reverser as fitted to all subsequent Lots..... enginemen complained that the lever was difficult to move when running at speed).

The cab is of different construction to later Lots (the roof and sides overlap the cab front....later Lots had flush corners.....as seen on preserved No. 3205).

The cab hand grab below the windows is different from subsequent patterns and the whistles are directly cable operated......later locos were fitted with a manifold cover enclosing pipework to the whistles and , later still, whistle shields. The early locos were later fitted with the more modern whistles but the original cabs were retained by the first 20 locos until withdrawal.

The majority of the locos, including 2257, were fitted with overhauled/ modernised Dean 3,000 gallon tenders from withdrawn "Dukes" and other older Dean locos but there were more modern tenders fitted to many of the later-built Lots (ex-ROD Robinson 4000 gallon tenders were even attached to some locos) and over the years tenders were swapped when out-shopped after attention at the Swindon Factory.

At the time of writing, the cabside numberplates plates are on order (from Guilplates) but with a long/unspecified delivery delay (a large backlog of orders).

John


(https://i.ibb.co/F4pn4rs/2257cweb.jpg) (https://ibb.co/F4pn4rs)



(https://i.ibb.co/B2y5qfd/2257cbweb.jpg) (https://ibb.co/B2y5qfd)



(https://i.ibb.co/JxYt2zf/2257bweb.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JxYt2zf)



(https://i.ibb.co/Rc2Twtg/2257sandersweb.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Rc2Twtg)



(https://i.ibb.co/St4SkFn/2257aweb.jpg) (https://ibb.co/St4SkFn)



Title: Re: 2257 rides again!
Post by: Doddy on Jul 17 2020 20:35
Dear John,

Not only have you been kind enough to share your photos, but generously written about the class history and the detail differences.

Many thanks indeed.

Robert
Title: Re: 2257 rides again!
Post by: hornbeam on Jul 19 2020 07:28
I'm guessing this has been scratch built John? Did you design it yourself?
Title: Re: 2257 rides again!
Post by: John Candy on Jul 19 2020 08:41
Simon,

Yes, it is from brass and nickel silver plus my own detail castings in pewter and resin .

I used the Swindon GA of Lot 283, as published in GWJ issue 24, with modifications to suit the pole reverser and early cab, etc. as fitted to Lot 261.

The tender was built for me by Mike Palmer (he also machined the steel coupling rods for me) ...... he was making a similar Dean 3000 gallon tender for his model of "Truro", so it was sensible to ask him to make a second example for me, since I have a lot of projects "on the go" and it saved valuable time.

Regards,
John.

P.S. A few more photos taken over past 4 weeks showing constructional details.


(https://i.ibb.co/pXbcxKB/2257s.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pXbcxKB)



(https://i.ibb.co/F5fsDCK/DSCN3378s.jpg) (https://ibb.co/F5fsDCK)



(https://i.ibb.co/zsfrkJB/DSCN3379s.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zsfrkJB)



(https://i.ibb.co/rmRY5XG/DSCN3381s.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rmRY5XG)



(https://i.ibb.co/HdrKwb4/DSCN3382s.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HdrKwb4)



(https://i.ibb.co/SQ93tZK/DSCN3383s.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SQ93tZK)



(https://i.ibb.co/k22pwG3/DSCN3417s.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k22pwG3)



(https://i.ibb.co/Y7Mc9Hy/DSCN3419s.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y7Mc9Hy)



(https://i.ibb.co/XDmKqKb/DSCN3420s.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XDmKqKb)



(https://i.ibb.co/0GHTq0f/DSCN3422s.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0GHTq0f)
Title: Re: 2257 rides again!
Post by: 753 on Jul 19 2020 11:19
John

A fine example of a well made Collet Goods engine, you must be very pleased.

Let's hope we can get back to running engines again next year!

Mike
Title: Re: 2257 rides again!
Post by: hornbeam on Jul 19 2020 11:55
Very nice John like the real thing I'm sure it will be a most useful engine.
Title: Re: 2257 rides again!
Post by: John Candy on Jul 29 2020 11:38
After being warned by Gareth at Guilplates that they had a huge backlog of orders and could not give any timescale for delivery, I had a very nice surprise when an envelope dropped through my door a week ago.
Just a little over two weeks since placing the order..... even less than the normal lead time.

Fitted the plates (and the transfer for the yellow "B" route restriction / power code) yesterday.

John.


(https://i.ibb.co/QfmRKmy/DSCN3466web.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QfmRKmy)



(https://i.ibb.co/WkrXcSV/DSCN3468web.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WkrXcSV)