Prototype

The Model is based on a batch of NGG16 locomotives built by Beyer Peacock in 1958, for service in South Africa. More specifically it is based on locomotives No 138 and 143, which were purchased for service on the Welsh Highland Railway, and have been running in Wales since 1997. These locomotives were the last batch of Garrats built by Beyer Peacock (the last batch of this class was built later by Hunslett). They have received many modifications since the class was first designed – the most important being conversion to oil firing (from coal), and the removal of most of the live steam valves from the cab to a large external steam manifold mounted on top of the boiler immediately in front of the cab. This latter modification makes for a great improvement in crew safety and comfort. There have been other minor modifications to fit the locomotives for use on the WHR.

The model is based on 138 and 143 as running until the winter of 2003/2004. 138 has now received a modified fuel oil tank which reduces the height of the rear tank unit considerably. 143 (to date) retains the original fuel oil tank.

138 is painted green and bears the nameplate ‘MILLENIUM’ in recognition of the large grant from the Millennium Fund which helped in the rebuilding of the WHR to its current (temporary) southern terminus. 143 is painted Black and bears no nameplates.

Model

The model is built to a ‘scale’ of 1/12. No attempt has been made to reproduce the colour scheme of either 138 or 143. Most of my Meccano is mid-70’s Binns Road, so the predominant colour is Yellow. I have used some red where I think it adds ‘artistic effect’.

As far as possible standard Meccano parts have been used – there are a few extensions and specials – mainly in the valve gear.

The model is powered by two 6v electric motors with integral 27:1 reduction gear. The motors drive the centre driving axles on each engine unit via helical gears. This results in a scale ‘walking speed’ movement of the model.

The reversing gear of each engine unit is operated by a Meccano MO motor driving a screw-jack via a reduction of approx 150:1. (This independent operation of the two reversing gears is because I have – sadly- found no way of modelling the reversing gear linkage which runs from one end of the locomotive to the other; but they will be electrically synchronised).