BR Standard Class 2, 2-6-2 tank
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:20 pm
As part of my layout project, based on the terminus station at Delph, I had a need for locos to pull and push the two coach motor trains which operated the passenger service. In my approximate period [somewhere in the 1950's], these trains were almost exclusively powered by 2-6-2 tank engines. In order of usage, they were of the ex-LMS, Fowler Class 3 [Breadvan], BR Standard Class 2 and, finally, the ex-LMS Ivatt Class 2 [Mickey Mouse] types.
The first type to be started was the BR version, using a DJH kit. The DJH body is their typical mix of etched brass and cast white metal parts and can be built as either the BR or Ivatt design by use of the appropriate alternative parts. Unusually, I started with the body and got on fairly well with the basic construction to reach the state illustrated, plus the boiler unit [used in the later effort], which creates the strength of the body assembly at the front.
This is more or less exactly as DJH intended although I did create a recess in the LH side tank top to accommodate the BR brake ejector steam valve, which is not provided for in the kit.
At about this time, I bought a Bachmann Ivatt tank together with a Comet chassis kit for a future build. Naturally, I compared the Bachmann loco with the part built DJH and realised that the DJH body was 2 mm shorter overall and it was apparent that the kit was wrong and that the error appeared to be wholly in the length of the cab. By this time, I had also decided to use a Comet chassis for the Standard and this also was 2 mm longer than the DJH body. As I recall, this was all enough to put me off and the loco was put aside and other projects started, including the Ivatt tank, seen here with the later BR Standard effort.
Eventually, I resolved to have another go at the Standard and purchased a new DJH kit. The fold-up etch for the tanks/cab/bunker was cut at the cab opening and a 2 mm wide filler strip fitted such that the overall length was made correct. Strictly, this still isn't right as the error was distributed throughout the cab length, not just at the opening, but it was a result I could live with. Of course, this lengthening meant that parts such as the cab roof, doors and floor no longer fitted, but these could be addressed later, I felt.
The DJH kit is designed with a short chassis, just comprising the coupled wheels and cylinders, with the remainder of the frames at front and back being part of the body assembly. I decided to retain this arrangement in my model and so the Comet frames were cut down to suit. This did result in some issues due to the pony trucks being pivoted on the short chassis but bear against pintles mounted under the body.
The stretched cab was fitted with scratch made doors and floor and a custom etched roof from Rumney Models, who also etched various detailing parts, including sand pipe brackets, tank restraining bars, lubricator drives, lamp irons and fire iron rests. The push-pull gear was a fascinating exercise in blending bits from various sources and lots of bent bits of wire, hopefully looking far more like the real thing than the misshapen offerings in the kit. The following photos show parts under construction or stripped down prior to final assembly and painting.
First, the chassis and keeper arrangements.
Next, we have the valve gear assembly [also showing the two pony trucks]
The front and rear trucks look quite different, due to using different types of side control. This also applies to the Ivatt locos, but on them, the swing link truck [seen on the right] was always at the front, whereas, on the BR locos it was always at the back. The trucks were both made from the Brassmasters Ivatt item, the spring control version just being the kit and the swing link item a modified version.
Moving on to the body components, we have the tank/cab/bunker unit which was stretched, as mentioned above.
The boiler unit was kept separate till final assembly but was then permanently fixed to the tank unit.
The various details were built up, including a fairly detailed representation of the vacuum operated push-pull apparatus.
Once the custom etched roof was obtained and curved to shape, it was clipped into place and the loco looked quite complete. The roof is still loose but will be fixed after fitting the loco crew.
The loco was then passed to David Clarke for painting, lining and weathering. The degree of weathering, and in particular, the near obliteration of the lining near the front of the side tanks, is based on the typical state of these locos during their stay at Lees Shed, in Oldham, in the mid 1950's.
Since these last shots were taken [by David Clarke], I have fitted cab window glazing and put coal in the bunker. Crew to paint and fit, cab roof to attach and DCC chip to wire up and it's ready to haul the ex-LNWR coaches which formed the passenger stock on the branch.
Dave.
The first type to be started was the BR version, using a DJH kit. The DJH body is their typical mix of etched brass and cast white metal parts and can be built as either the BR or Ivatt design by use of the appropriate alternative parts. Unusually, I started with the body and got on fairly well with the basic construction to reach the state illustrated, plus the boiler unit [used in the later effort], which creates the strength of the body assembly at the front.
This is more or less exactly as DJH intended although I did create a recess in the LH side tank top to accommodate the BR brake ejector steam valve, which is not provided for in the kit.
At about this time, I bought a Bachmann Ivatt tank together with a Comet chassis kit for a future build. Naturally, I compared the Bachmann loco with the part built DJH and realised that the DJH body was 2 mm shorter overall and it was apparent that the kit was wrong and that the error appeared to be wholly in the length of the cab. By this time, I had also decided to use a Comet chassis for the Standard and this also was 2 mm longer than the DJH body. As I recall, this was all enough to put me off and the loco was put aside and other projects started, including the Ivatt tank, seen here with the later BR Standard effort.
Eventually, I resolved to have another go at the Standard and purchased a new DJH kit. The fold-up etch for the tanks/cab/bunker was cut at the cab opening and a 2 mm wide filler strip fitted such that the overall length was made correct. Strictly, this still isn't right as the error was distributed throughout the cab length, not just at the opening, but it was a result I could live with. Of course, this lengthening meant that parts such as the cab roof, doors and floor no longer fitted, but these could be addressed later, I felt.
The DJH kit is designed with a short chassis, just comprising the coupled wheels and cylinders, with the remainder of the frames at front and back being part of the body assembly. I decided to retain this arrangement in my model and so the Comet frames were cut down to suit. This did result in some issues due to the pony trucks being pivoted on the short chassis but bear against pintles mounted under the body.
The stretched cab was fitted with scratch made doors and floor and a custom etched roof from Rumney Models, who also etched various detailing parts, including sand pipe brackets, tank restraining bars, lubricator drives, lamp irons and fire iron rests. The push-pull gear was a fascinating exercise in blending bits from various sources and lots of bent bits of wire, hopefully looking far more like the real thing than the misshapen offerings in the kit. The following photos show parts under construction or stripped down prior to final assembly and painting.
First, the chassis and keeper arrangements.
Next, we have the valve gear assembly [also showing the two pony trucks]
The front and rear trucks look quite different, due to using different types of side control. This also applies to the Ivatt locos, but on them, the swing link truck [seen on the right] was always at the front, whereas, on the BR locos it was always at the back. The trucks were both made from the Brassmasters Ivatt item, the spring control version just being the kit and the swing link item a modified version.
Moving on to the body components, we have the tank/cab/bunker unit which was stretched, as mentioned above.
The boiler unit was kept separate till final assembly but was then permanently fixed to the tank unit.
The various details were built up, including a fairly detailed representation of the vacuum operated push-pull apparatus.
Once the custom etched roof was obtained and curved to shape, it was clipped into place and the loco looked quite complete. The roof is still loose but will be fixed after fitting the loco crew.
The loco was then passed to David Clarke for painting, lining and weathering. The degree of weathering, and in particular, the near obliteration of the lining near the front of the side tanks, is based on the typical state of these locos during their stay at Lees Shed, in Oldham, in the mid 1950's.
Since these last shots were taken [by David Clarke], I have fitted cab window glazing and put coal in the bunker. Crew to paint and fit, cab roof to attach and DCC chip to wire up and it's ready to haul the ex-LNWR coaches which formed the passenger stock on the branch.
Dave.