GW 850 class Pannier build

And now for something completely different ! This little engine took my fancy somewhere back in early December because it looked quirky and a reasonably straight forward build having just six coupled wheels and on outside valve gear. Purchased with the intentions of dipping into and out of the build as and when it suited then ultimately selling the finished engine to help raise funds for something else, anyway I've been quietly attending to this loco on and off since the New Year and so far there is a rolling frame and not much else. With the sun out this morning I thought it a good time to take a picture and show something a little different. Enjoy.

 

Its one from the Scorpio fold deigned by Dave Ennis who sadly passed away on the 20th March, so we will have to see how much longer the range stays available.

 

Ah can't have that Dundee so I've taken steps to rectify the situation... bin men come next Monday. Anyone need any 4' H section driving wheels ?

 

Today was such a lovely sunny day I just couldn't face sitting in the paint room redrawing the Leek station plans to scale so I pushed on with this old chestnut which if I'm to be honest is a billion times easier to build than the last loco over my bench. So a few fiddly bits go attached namely the sanding gear operating rods and reverser rod. I'd previously put the forward portion of the cab together and the spashers.

 

Putting the cab together did take a bit of doing as these pieces are actually half etches... abate from thick brass sheet) but I only had a tiny edge to solder to, anyway it went together alright and sits squarely on the footplate which is what is important as otherwise the panniers could well not sit properly.

 

And from the other side, tomorrow I'll crack on with the bunker and see how far I get. This loco is having the later enclosed cab and Collett bunker.

 

Cheers for that Toto and thanks for the three thumbs up Ian, this engine is not really a natural choice of kit build for me since Western stuff being a bit like Marmite you either love it or you don't but as a quirky little engine and something a tad different it is making for an enjoyable build.

 

They are not my favourite and I'd certainly not have a fleet of them, if I was going to build another Western engine it would be a Manor because you get a nice looking loco without the faff of having to make up outside valve gear. I'd thought about the LUT livery but not sure any went there.

 

Agreed Toto for some reason they just look better in Crimson red, at least I save on not having to splash out for brass number plates.

 

Picture showing results of a days labour later maybe ? Off there myself to do a little bunker build on this lovely little pannier tank.

 

Probably one of the most fiddly and frustrating jobs n a tank loco build is making up the tiny bars protecting the spectacle glasses on the bunker bulkhead. I found a simple way to do this job getting good results and thought it good to share in case any members might find this useful.

Cut a thin strip of 1mm thick cardboard and tape it to the etch piece so that the holes taking the wire remain uncovered. I found 0.45mm brass wire was the right size. Working on one window at a time bend the wire to fit.

 

Splay each end piece back like so, this will hold the wires in place and the card will keep the bars at an equal and correct spacing.