British Railways prototype?

[michaelstevens]

I picked up this "BR 0-6-0 Tank" (that's all it said on the Lima box) at my local hobby shop.

http://mike-stevens.fotopic.net/p30602548.html

None of my reference books have anything on the prototype.
Based on the number (68920); it is an Eastern Region engine, maybe even an ex-Caledonian item.
I'm not even sure that it is a complete or accurate model -- e.g. it may be supposed to have outside cylinders and driving rods.

Does anyone now what this is ?

[marknewton]

I can't say for certain, but I suspect it is an ex-GNR loco. As for being complete, it would appear to be. Like so many other British 0-6-0s, it has inside cylinders and connecting rods.

All the best,

Mark.

(Self-Confessed Rivet Counter)

[Anonymous]

That's a GNR cab shape for a start. Exremely few mainline co outside cyl 0-6-0T so it's probably not far off. Is it H0 or 00?

[michaelstevens]

"Is it H0 or 00?"

Yes.

The reason I wondered about outside cylinders etc. is the rather odd triangular shaped aperture under the tank, above the front pair of axles -- there is a similar aperture on the left side also.

[Anonymous]

My wife used to do that... "Would you prefer yellow or green"? Answer... "yes".
[banghead][banghead][banghead]
That space provided access to get at the valve gear (and maybe other bits) for oiling and other maintenance. You would see similar arrangements on other side tank locos.

Let me rephrase the question... "Is it 4mm to the foot/ 1:72 OR 3.5mm to the foot/ 1:87"?

[8D][8D]

[marknewton]

As David says, the cutout in the tanks is for access to the motion, crossheads and slidebars when oiling around. On some engines there is also a sandbox filler. It is not a hole left by missing cylinders. Most British 0-6-0s and 0-6-0Ts had this arrangement of inside cylinders, valve motion and coupling rods.

All the best,

Mark.

(Self-Confessed Rivet Counter)

[Anonymous]

The reason that most British 0-6-0 had inside cyls was that, with a relatively short wheelbase, outside cyls tened to cause a boxing motion at any sort of speed. You can usually see this on 0-4-0T even at the fairly low speeds they usually run at (they don't go fast... they might be able to but they wouldn't stay on the track). The difference is that with an 0-6-0 there is space between the 1st and 2nd axles to fit in the motion... the cyls are usually over or just ahead of the leading axle. This space just isn't there on an 0-4-0 so the cyls go outside.
Again, if you look at that space on your model the drive would have to be to the back axle if the cyls wet in there. Except for a few extremely early locos I can't think of any more than 4 coupleds that were driven on the back axle... the mechanics of the drive weren't good.

[michaelstevens]

I have just received this response, from a friend (Steve Walton) in the UK.

"Yes, I do know what it is, and I've actually seen it!
The loco is ex. LNER class J50. It was shedded @
34B(Hornsey) depot which is in N. London, about 5 stops
out from Kings X. These engines did a lot of trip
freight, empty stock and shunting work @ the London end
of the ECML -- up until 1962 when the whole lot were
withdrawn. I saw 68920 on the 'scrap' line in Hornsey
shed in July 1961! I don't think any have survived."

Thanks Steve.

[BR60103]

Michael: my LNER ABC says the J50 was designed by Gesley in 1914, with variations built up to 1939. That makes it a Great Northern loco.

[michaelstevens]

I would still like to see a photo of Mr. Gresley's prototype -- if anybody has one -- e.g. in the LNER ABC.

Thanks.

[BR60103]

My ABC is a reproduction of the 1948 issue. The pictures in it are very muddy and there are none of the J50 anyways. I'll see if I can find any elsewhere.
The J was LNER's designation for an 0-6-0 ot 0-6-0T locomotive. With all the absorbed railways, they reached class J94 (with gaps).