Prototype

Having examined the possible use of articulated locomotives to reduce operating costs on narrow gauge lines, the Victorian Railways decided upon the Beyer-Garratt type and in 1925 an order was placed with Beyer Peacock Ltd., Gorton Works , Manchester, England, for two 2 feet 6 inch gauge engines of the 2-6-0 + 0-6-2 wheel arrangement.

The two Garratt locomotives arrived from England in May 1926 to be assembled at the Victorian Railways Workshops

Assembly of the new Garratts was duly completed and steaming trails carried out, the engines being classed G and giving the running numbers 41 and 42 , since the forties series of numbers was not in use for any other class at that time.

The two Garratts were destined to remain unique in being the only articulated steam locomotives ever operated by the Victorian Railways.

Model

The model is similar to the Model (NGG16) built by Peter Finney.

The scale I used is 1''to the foot I find that this scale is ideal for building narrow gauge Locomotives in Meccano.

The difference between the G class to that of the NGG16s that I could see was the main frame on the G class same width end to end,(no cranking to the frame).

The other difference the boiler changed from being a cylinder to being a square shape at the cabin end.

Modern type side plate motors drive each bogie on the Locomotive model, reason being is that I have set the Model up on supports for exhibitions so public can see the valve gear working.

Being a replica parts manufacture I decided to make all the plates and girders and spray them all one color green. All plates and girders made to the Meccano half-inch pitch.