GWR 517 Class Early version

[Mikemill]

I found this image of an early design of a 517 Class tank engine circa 1868, and thought it was worth a G3 version. These engines were built at Wolverhampton, where the CME was George Armstrong.

Armstrong was autonomous from Swindon and designed some sucsessful engines. Many early tank engines had saddle tanks before side tanks became standard design as they held more water.

The photo is the only information I could find, a reasonable assumption that the major dimensions are the same as the later versions of the 517 tanks. Knowing the wheel dia and the distance between the axles I scaled the image to G3 sizes and measured the image to create a working drawing.

The model chassis are 1.5mm steel, with the wheels cut from 8mm ali plate.



Mike

 

[NickB]

Lots of interesting detail here. The ejector alongside the firebox will be an interesting challenge. And the absence of a cab means there is no disguising the backhead and controls. I hope you will also equip it with a crew dressed for the era. If there is no cab to hide in, the lack of a crew in a moving engine is really noticable (IMO) !

Nick

 

[Mikemill]

Nick

As you know I like 19th century engines and I keep looking for suitable footplate crew, and have collected images of early loco driver and firemen.

The firms that make 3D printed figures don’t seem to cover this period, so I need a genius with 3D CAD to help create some figures Now who could that be !!!

I live in hope

Mike

 

[Jon Nazareth]

Mike
I think that’s a really nice engine. Well done you for stepping back in time to model an early engine.

Jon

 

[James]

Nick

As you know I like 19th century engines and I keep looking for suitable footplate crew, and have collected images of early loco driver and firemen.

The firms that make 3D printed figures don’t seem to cover this period, so I need a genius with 3D CAD to help create some figures Now who could that be !!!

I live in hope

Mike

Worth speaking to Modelu.

 

[Bigjohn]

Mikemill……have you seen GWRJ 74 and 75 drawings and photos
BigJ

 

[Mikemill]

BigJ

Thanks for the tip

Mike

 

[Pete_S]

See also HMRS Dwg 16221

Copy of Wolverhampton Drawing No. 287 dated June 1885. Side tanks.

 

[Jon Nazareth]

Mike
To add to your search for suitable figures to stand on the footplate. This is a figure that I carved from a white metal soldier bought on-line. Here we have a before and after shot and one in-situ.

Jon

 

[Mikemill]

Jon

Very interesting, your figure looks more 19th century to me well done.

 

[Mikemill]

Progress on the 517

Mike

 

[Jon Nazareth]

Jon

Very interesting, your figure looks more 19th century to me well done.

He’s supposed to, 1800s.

Jon

 

[Mikemill]

Further progress on the 517, I found some figures for the cab. There are no suitable ones for the period of the engine, I will attempt to alter the figure to be more in period. Although I am not convinced, they add much to the visual experience

Mike

 

[michael mott]

Mike
To add to your search for suitable figures to stand on the footplate. This is a figure that I carved from a white metal soldier bought on-line. Here we have a before and after shot and one in-situ.

Jon
View attachment 238264View attachment 238265View attachment 238266

regardlessof the era great work on the carving Jon.

 

[magmouse]

I used ModelU figures for my Manning Wardle, nominally 1908, but would pass for earlier, I think.





I think the main things to set this period are:

• jackets are typically but not always buttoned just at the top.
• caps have short, steeply angled peaks, and upright sides with little if any protrusion where The sides meet the top.
• facial hair varies between individuals, of course, but there are fashions - check photos for beards, ‘mutton chop’ sideburns, etc.

The two figures above are as they come from modelU other than I carved the cap to reduce the peak and the overhang of the top on the man with the dark jacket.

Nick.

 

[Mikemill]

Fresh out of the paint shop in distinctive Wolverhampton blue green livery

Waiting for the number and builders plates to be etched.



Mike

 

[Mikemill]

517 Completed

Mike