Virginian VGN class AE 2-10-10-2 detail problems

[VAPEURCHAPELON]

Hello to all of you modellers.

Does anyone of you know if the H0scale brass Virginian VGN class AE 2-10-10-2 from Custom Brass/ Kumata reflects a true prototypical version? I ask because I have one and intend to paint it, but before I am doing this I must be sure that the version is correct or that I have to change some detail.

The tender looks to be the as-built version because it doesn’t have the enlarged coal bunker. But did Virginian run some of these engines to their end with unchanged tenders?

The locomotive has a bell just in front of the two front sand domes. I did find that only at builders photos, but did Virginian run some of these engines to their end with the bell in that position? And if so, where was the bell cord? Did these engines have it running completely outside the boiler back to the cab, and where were the holders between bell and cab? Or was it hidden under the boiler lagging? Same with the whistle cord?
The model also has only one sand line running down from the front sand domes and marker lights on smoke box – details I could find only at photos from 1940s or later on engines without the bell at the above mentioned position – so I guess the model is intended to simulate a later version – but I am not sure. Actually I do not have and did not find a single photo showing such an engine with the detail my model has.

And what are correct colours for these engines? The common builders photo (e.g. in Loco Cyclopedia) shows complete black with white running board edges and wheel tires. Did these engines also run with this paint? Or was it in service black with graphite smoke box and firebox and no white trim? Or even all black? Did it have a red roof and red window crosses - depending on time frames?

I also have 15 Nickel Plate Products VGN Battleship gondolas (shall become even more) for perfect match for the engine. On all of them I want to add brake rodding and coupler lift bar and paint with Bill Mosteller decals. I have been told that these cars were being rebuilt in later years – having been removed the vertical brake staff and the recessed bottom between the
trucks. Is this correct? What was the latest year one could find a complete train of the as built cars modeled by Nickel Plate Products? And therefore: would it be correct to run my engine considering its detail with a train built ONLY from as built battleships? I hope you can help. I want to make an ACCURATE Virginian train.
Thanks and greetings from

VAPEURCHAPELON

[ndbprr]

The tender looks to be the as-built version because it doesn’t have the enlarged coal bunker. But did Virginian run some of these engines to their end with unchanged tenders?

The pictures in the two books I have only show the lower tender in the builders photo. i suspect that all were changed but don't know

The locomotive has a bell just in front of the two front sand domes. I did find that only at builders photos, but did Virginian run some of these engines to their end with the bell in that position? And if so, where was the bell cord? Did these engines have it running completely outside the boiler back to the cab, and where were the holders between bell and cab? Or was it hidden under the boiler lagging? Same with the whistle cord?

It appears the bell was moved at some time becasue later phtotos don;t show it at that location but I'll be darned if I can find it anywhere on the engine. I would guess it was moved to the front end somewhere and was probably an air ringer.

The model also has only one sand line running down from the front sand domes and marker lights on smoke box – details I could find only at photos from 1940s or later on engines without the bell at the above mentioned position – so I guess the model is intended to simulate a later version – but I am not sure. Actually I do not have and did not find a single photo showing such an engine with the detail my model has.

It appears that there was a second pipe as delivered behind the rear driver for back up moves as delivered.

And what are correct colours for these engines? The common builders photo (e.g. in Loco Cyclopedia) shows complete black with white running board edges and wheel tires. Did these engines also run with this paint? Or was it in service black with graphite smoke box and firebox and no white trim? Or even all black? Did it have a red roof and red window crosses - depending on time frames?

I have no idea on this as all photos are black and white but they appear to be black except for the smokebox which appears to be graphite.

[Anonymous]

Virginian disappeared into Norfolk and Western on I believe Holoween, 1959. check with their historical society.
danny
[e-mail]

[rrinker]

Don't forget, a lot of bells were air-operated. I don't know about these particular locos, but by the end of steam an air-operated bell was VERY common. Usually there was a small cylinder alongside the bell mount that swung the bell back and forth. This detail might show, or might not be modeled. If it's Custom Brass it's got to be 20+ years old. My father-in-law has a Custom Brass Reading T-1 from the early 80's and it's a mixed bag as far as detail level goes.

--Randy