I have long wanted a model of a GWR 2800 2-8-0, such majestic engines that exuded confident, unassuming power, were designed to move what was the life blood of the railway, goods.  Even though my projected railway is unlikely to have ever seen one, I will run one anyway (it is my railway after all!).

A chance remark from Philip Millard while in his shop one day recently (September 2006) that Slater's 2800 was originally produced by Malcolm Mitchell promoted me to order one on the spot.  I have since discovered from Malcolm himself that he had nothing at all to do with it.  So far as I can find out, a company called "Pilgrim Models" produced it.  Whoever produced it originally, there is now no trace of their involvement on the etches.  However, I am informed by a visitor to the site (Dave Bowden - many thanks) that the original producer of the kit was David Hunt.

So with some trepidation I collected the kit from Home of 0 Gauge not knowing really anything about the kit's antecedents or quality.  Along with the kit they had also provided me with their security chip, a service I hope will be continued when the business changes hands (unfortunately it closed and I have no idea what became of this excellent idea).

So what comes in the box? - which is not, in my view, capable of protecting the finished model, too flimsy I am happy to say.  All such models belong in proper, wooden, carrying cases.

There is a great deal and most, if not all, of it appears to be of high quality.  However, I have heard from others who have built this beast that all is not sweetness and light.  We shall see in due course.  For the engine there are several bags of castings, most of which are lost wax brass with a few in copper and nickel silver and others in white metal.  Numerous sheets of high quality etches.  Pre-rolled boiler parts and a set of white metal castings for the firebox.  This latter I shall investigate with interest.  Those of you who have read my rantings in the past will know my antipathy for white metal.

The etchings for the frames are suitably thick while things like half etched depressions for producing rivet and bolt heads are commendably tiny.  Parts to provide a sprung chassis are part and parcel of the piece too.

Parts for the tender include ready formed sides and what appears to be provision for compensation and/or springing for the chassis.  Finally, the instructions, which appear very comprehensive at first glance, have good isometric drawings and identifiable lists of parts.  I have added the AGH castings for the wheels and an ABC motor/gearbox however, as supplied, the kit normally would have a set of Slater's wheels plus their own motor/gearbox too.  Philip kindly supplied the kit sans wheels and motor.

I have decided that I may have a crack at making an entirely sprung chassis for this beast combined with the "American" method (one side of the engine and the opposite side of the tender) for electrical pick-up and DCC chips.  Though, on reflection, the kit comes with plunger pick-ups so I may just add similar pick-ups to the tender.  Do not expect any further action anytime soon though.  First I have to gather more prototype information about the early 2800's and, hopefully, pictures of some based at either Stafford Road or Tyseley in about 1905-6.  Secondly I have to clear the backlog from my work bench of the remaining outstanding jobs to which "Work in Progress" will attest, some of which have been languishing for far too long, and all this after the dreaded DIY is completed, happily, I am close to retirement from 'real' work.  Good thing to, I don't have time to go to work.

Well things are beginning to progress a little (November 2009) in that I am contemplating this as my next job once the Clayton Railcar is out of the way (hopefully very soon now).  There were 19 built in 1905 so I have a choice of any of them technically as they were all then in original condition with short cone boiler and stepped footplate.  None appear to have been shedded at Tysley or Oxley so whichever one I pick will have to be a visitor.  Now the search is on for picture of them soon after building - well I can always hope!


May 2010.  Well, it back on the back burner again since I decided to go professional as a model maker, there are now five other commissions in front of it.

A company called PDH Drawing Services (pdhdrawings@ntlworld.com) provides drawings of a range of engines in both 4mm and 7mm scale so I tried out his offering.  I now have three A3 sheets with good clear drawings of all three variants of this engine.  The original 2800 (97), the following series of the 28xx and the 38xx.  They appear to check out correctly for dimensions so, for £7.00p including postage, I consider it a bargain.

Now, I am investigating fitting working Stephen's valve gear.  The gap under the boiler is large and, there is, consequently, a clear view between the frames and so something needs to be done to fill it.

Also, taking into consideration Jim Snowdon's comments on his build of this kit, the wheel sets will have to be removable from below the frames (just like the real thing) but that will mean arranging for the springs to be removable too. Some form of keeper plate may be necessary to hold both the wheels and the springs.

TO BE CONTINUED

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