Friday 12 July 2019

WD "Austerity" 2-8-0: Work in Progress 2

Works continues on the WD 2-8-0 and the main addition has been the Westinghouse pump and brake gear.


And with another pass to check over the components and with lots of comparison to contemporary photographs the main model is complete.


There were a LOT of modifications to the WD's, from their war time original build to their use under the Big 4 (who all made different changes) on their return to the UK after WW2 and finally under British Railways.
Differences even on the original design include an oval build plate ("Vulcan Foundry" instead of the triangular "North British  Locomotive Company") and the raised rear sander filler caps - this type being fitted to a number of engines to allow the WD's to carry armour plating (although this never actually happened).
Also seen here are some changes that were present on the post-war Dutch versions - a raised chimney, external windows, local lamps, a cover on the clack valves and a ladder next to them. Having read about how very unreliable the cast clack valves were and how often a poor fireman had to climb up onto the hot boiler with no footholds and then re-seat them with a spanner you can't help but wonder if the ladders were the Dutch solution to this problem!


Next week we should have the WD's 5000 gallon tender to show.

11 comments:

  1. Really looking nice! Can’t wait to see it in game

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  2. Great work so far. It is really coming together fast

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  3. Can't wait to see this beauty on the rails

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  4. Good to also see a Dutch 4300 class appearing, looks great! One minor point: on most NS 4300's the ladder was fitted on the right hand (fireman's )side of the boiler.

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    1. Thank you. You are correct, we'd accidentally mirrored it so there was a ladder on both sides - we'll fix that right now :-)

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  5. When will this amazing looking loco be ready for purchase or when will we have another update on it?

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    1. Another update is coming soon.
      It will be ready to buy when it's complete :-)
      We are aiming for October but we won't rush to hit a date if it means it won't be as good as we can make it.

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  6. https://youtu.be/5_cR2zxjKOU some dutch inspiration and yes, also the Jeeps you see here!
    Looking at the Lantarns/lamps of the dutch engine, the back plate where the oil goes in looks to me a little too small.
    I made some for my self too including the War types! i post some pictures of the real one's below this comment.

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  7. https://www.treinpunt.nl/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=73135.0;attach=17970;image

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