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.