Note 4mm out of stock - parts awaited

Notes

You will need to purchase the following wheels:

Driving wheels 5’6” 18 spoke, 22” crank throw Slaters 7866 SE(nearest equivalent, no exact match)

Bogie wheels3’0 1/2” 9 spoke Slaters 7837GP

Tender wheels 3’7 ½” 10 spoke Slaters 7843

Screw link couplings and motor/gearbox of your choice also need to be source.

History

The first locomotives of this class were built in 1878 for the Cambrian Railways, being followed by two more in both 1886 and 1891. A further four were ordered by the Cambrian, who refused to accept them in 1890, due to late delivery. These locomotives were then purchased by the Furness Railway that year. Obviously relationships between Sharps and the Cambrian were not soured by this disagreement, as the Cambrian bought their last two engines of this type the following year, and many more locomotives of the ‘61’ class during the next decade!

For a relatively small class, there were a large number of variations, possibly due to the extended time over which they were built. The old adage of working to a photograph applies really well here, to show how most of the variations can be achieved, my display model is probably incorrect as I tried to include all the hard things in the instructions. So get a photograph and use it to make a really accurate model of the prototype as it existed once, probably on the day it’s picture was taken!

The first two engines for the Cambrian were their last engines to be named, and originally had steam brakes only. By 1886, vacuum brakes were fitted, and were obviously applied to the two original engines about the middle of this decade.

Bogie splashers were another variation, the first two locomotives not having them, but 16 later acquired a set, only to lose them again in the following years.

Again the footplate valence changed, with earlier engines having the rear steps swept backwards, but the Furness engines and the last Cambrian engines were fitted with a straight step at the rear, and also front steps, situated either just over the front sandboxes, or just forward of them. Later, the earlier engines received the vertical rear steps, and also the front ones, but the dates on which this work was done is unknown.

Some engines appear to have boiler washout plugs on the firebox, just above the handrails.

All the above variants are catered for in the kit, all you need is a good photograph the determine the exact fittings your prototype had in your period

The Cambrian rebuilt all six of their engines between 1910 and 1916 with larger diameter boilers, eliminating the step up to the firebox. This variant is not currently provided for in the kit, but a further batch will be made in the future allowing these locomotives to be modelled.

Balance weights on the driving wheels are another source of variation, and quite a few have been observed. The original engines did not seem to have been fitted with any, but then weights between two, three and four spokes have been pictured over the course of the long lives of these locomotives. Unfortunately, this information was not spotted in time for this kit, but they are not difficult to fabricate from scrap etch.

On a modelling note, the bogie splashers are a source of concern if you intend to operate over sharp curves. The splasher tops are already a little wider than scale, but you may chose to remake these from etch a little wider again to allow clearance. The bogie is sprung, but I suggest that all sideplay in the pivot is eliminated, just allowing the whole thing to rotate only. In this case, a little sideplay on the front driver will be all that is needed.