Pre-Grouping GWR power for branches?

[WM183]

Hi folks,

Quick question before I place an order for some p4 wheels. I am going to build an 850 or 2021 - which one might be more common on a branch in somewhere like the Cotswolds? If I wished to build another, would something like Dean Goods or 517 be at home? I plan to model pre-WWI.

Thanks much,

Amanda

 

[Dog Star]

My thought is that all four could be options for you... although there are a couple of caveats:-

* Not likely that an 850 and a 2021 would be found on the same branch line at the same time;
* The suitability of a 517 might be influenced by the length of the service run by that type of engine.

As a starting point, try to find those books which are about the Banbury - Cheltenham line to see what the photos show in respect of motive power.

Rgds, Graham

 

[Simon H]

My thought is that all four could be options for you... although there are a couple of caveats:-

* Not likely that an 850 and a 2021 would be found on the same branch line at the same time;
* The suitability of a 517 might be influenced by the length of the service run by that type of engine.

As a starting point, try to find those books which are about the Banbury - Cheltenham line to see what the photos show in respect of motive power.

Rgds, Graham

I've just had a quick (and pleasant) look through Jim Russell's book on the Banbury & Cheltenham Railway; there are several photos of 517s in use, as well as Dean (and earlier (Armstrong?)) Goods, but I can't find any mention of 0-6-0 tanks at all, even in the "motive power" section.
HTH, Simon.

 

[WM183]

Thanks all! I can deal with a dean goods and a 517... maybe some days an 0-6-0T fills in, when the Dean Goods is out for a boiler wash...

 

[Simon H]

Thanks all! I can deal with a dean goods and a 517... maybe some days an 0-6-0T fills in, when the Dean Goods is out for a boiler wash...

I'll be interested to see what you come up with...I'm currently gathering stuff for an early to mid 1930s GWR branch line scheme, probably based in Gloucestershire/Worcester/Herefordshire, largely because we moved to Ross last year and I've been busy studying the railways of area.
It'll be EM, so far I have kits for a Metro (Wills/Perseverance), an ex-M&SWJR 2-4-0 (Cotswold/ Rumney plus a couple of slightly off topic locos (!) and various coach and wagon kits, as well enough parts to build the track.
Not even sure what form (through/terminus etc.) or size it'll be; in theory, I have a double garage available, but there are other things in there...
All the best,
Simon.

 

[Penrhos1920]

Steam railmotor, 4 wheel coaches, 517, small saddle tank on the goods. Dean goods was a bit big for most branch lines.

 

[PeterM]

There was an 850 at Hereford for many years in Edwardian times but was probably there for shunting. Some, if not most 850's had H spoke wheels.

 

[Wagonman]

A lot of 2021 tanks used in the Forest of Dean. The exMSW 2-4-0 locos were based at Reading and worked to places like Lambourn. I doubt any of them ever got to Ross. In later years at least Dean Goods worked on quite a few branch lines – including Lambourn – largely because of their relatively low axle weight.

 

[PeterM]

I have pictures of both Metro 2-4-0 and Dean Goods at Ross circa 1912 on passenger trains.

 

[WM183]

Thanks folks. I think for now I will focus on a 517 (and a rake of 4 wheelers!) and a small 0-6-0 tank with a bunch of 4 plankers and a few cattle trucks for goods for the builds. The next engine will deffo be a dean (or Armstrong) goods.

 

[ChrisBr]

Depending on how realistic you wish to be, and the specifics of the branch line, you may want to follow BoT requirement No.17 that a Tender engine should not work more than 15 miles tender first under normal operations and if this could not be achieved by a suitably located turntable (or I guess triangle) then the branch working should be restricted to Tank engines only.

I only know this because it is in the BoT report for the opening of the Henley in Arden Branch in 1904.....

 

[WM183]

I never knew about the 15 mile restriction on running tender first. That is really good to know! For these 2, ill stay with small tank engines. One thing about the GWR... no lack of variety.

 

[daifly]

Depending on how realistic you wish to be, and the specifics of the branch line, you may want to follow BoT requirement No.17 that a Tender engine should not work more than 15 miles tender first under normal operations and if this could not be achieved by a suitably located turntable (or I guess triangle) then the branch working should be restricted to Tank engines only.

Now that’s an interesting fact of which I was completely unaware Chris. It explains why the Oxford - Fairford Branch (22m) had a turntable but Newbury - Lambourn (12m) did not. Thanks.

Dave