1934 Fowler diesel shunter debut

Osgood

Western Thunderer
Quick update - just heard that the first train with Fowler is planned for after lunch.
And yes - I too wonder what time lunch ends!
 

BrushType4

Western Thunderer
I surveyed the site for suitability for a Tesco Depot and I was amazed how much track was down and looking like it’s was useable.

I think Tony mentioned his loco may be going back to SWC for a gala next year by the developer on the original rails.
 

BrushType4

Western Thunderer
Likewise Phil.

If you need access to an outline G.A. there is one here you can inspect - alternatively head over one Friday evening and have a measure up and a beer in the Kitchener Arms coach (probably best done in that order......).
T

View attachment 107693

Sounds like a plan. I’ll try and encourage the wife along too with the dogs.
 

Osgood

Western Thunderer
Yes Dave - this is the very (only) one. Hence the livery, faithful to the original works photo.
Prior to 1934 they used a Model T truck with ballast body on rail wheels.
Surprisingly, given the footbridge from platforms crossing over the sidings, only 6 photos (mostly poor) have surfaced of the loco at the factory.

The factory opened just before the National Strike causing delivery problems, the company resolving thereafter to deliver 50% of its output by road.
The rest went out in standard railway vans - the 4mm RTR Shredded Wheat liveried model vans (Colman's Mustard style) are believed to be fictional.
All grain came in by rail for a long while until that too gradually switched to road and by 1977 the rail system had been abandoned.
 
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Osgood

Western Thunderer
I surveyed the site for suitability for a Tesco Depot and I was amazed how much track was down and looking like it’s was useable.

I think Tony mentioned his loco may be going back to SWC for a gala next year by the developer on the original rails.

Hopefully part of the Welwyn Garden City Centenary celebrations. The town was designed by Louis De Soissons - as was the factory in 1926.
Six of the silos and the production hall are listed and the developer has chosen to retain the adjacent inset sidings and points in the form of a piazza as a marker of its industrial past.

Home - The Wheat Quarter
 

Eastsidepilot

Western Thunderer
Great restoration on the loco Tony, sorry I couldn't get there on Sunday, ( Granddaughter duty down and back from Essex ).

ATB, Col.
 

AJC

Western Thunderer
Both the Minerva (and High Level one for that matter) are a larger version, albeit of a similar vintage.

Adam
 

Overseer

Western Thunderer
Here is the High level kit recently completed other than fitting sand pipes.

Mark Humphrys
Nice build. But as Adam has pointed out it is the larger 70-80hp version. Fowler marketed them from the mid 1920s in a range of sizes and a choice of engine.
Fowler standards.jpg
The Ixion O scale one is based on the GWR example of the mid sized ones, the LMS also had one but with the starting donkey engine on the opposite side.
Fowler 70hp portrait1.jpg
Fowler 70hp wagons1.jpg
The Ixion model in S7-
Ixion Fowler.jpg
And a scratchbuilt Fowler similar to Osgood's Fowler -
Fowler1adj.jpg
Built in the mid 1980s in styrene with Triang Polly wheels with alternate spoke cut out and an X04 motor. Coupling rods are 4mm bullhead rail and it has never had the driving shaft fitted. Despite the similar appearance the only part in common on the prototypes were probably the radiator and buffers (not right on my scratch built one).
 
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