I bought this off the local market for $2 Australian dollars. Have checked the internet but no definite results. The no. On the base(20735] comes up as a castle class, but I don't think this is correct.
I find it rather odd to identify this chassis. A 2-6-2 of that era would put it down to either a 3MT Tank or a Large Prairie... Although... ...the 3MT tank had angle cylinders, whereas you chassis has straight up and down/vertical cylinders, nor did it come out with that motion bracket. ...the Large Prairie didn't have the motion bracket as on your chassis, it had two solid metal rods to as the motion supports. That particular motion bracket didn't appear to around 1974 on the Hornby models and was only found on the Ivatt Class 2 (2-6-0)... When you look at that cast chassis and the wheels sets, they are typical of the early Triang models from 1955 to 1972/3. Something that throws me is the diameter of the driving wheels. The diameter is far too large for a 3MT or a Large Prairie of that era and the wheels are too close together... One other thing it could possibly be is a cut down/modified 4-6-2 chassis to fit an Airfix (ex Dapol) Large Prairie kit... Cheers, Gary.
I'm with Brian on this, looks like a Dublo GWR Chassis, where the rear half of the front bogie has been cut away. Paul
Thanks everyone for your feedback, looks like I have a Frankenstein. I have order some new brushes, so I can see if it's a runner. Where too from here. Any ideas?
Definitely a Dublo (or possibly Wrenn) Castle chassis. Someone has modified the rear to accept a front pony truck from a Dublo or Wrenn 2-6-4T. Rather than the rear half of the front bogie having been cut away, as Paul suggested, I think they have replaced the four wheeled bogie of the Castle with another front pony truck from a Dublo or Wrenn 2-6-4T. In fitting the pony to the rear, whoever did it has removed the cab steps (which were attached to the chassis rather than the body) and the rear body mounting screws, so you would have your work cut out for you if you want to turn it back into a Castle. It's worth more than $2.00 for the wheels and motor though........
Of course you're right. The Wrenn versions were Ringfield powered. Only the early Dublo Castles had the half inch motor.
