Roxey Mouldings GWR 0-4-4 tank

[Marc Dobson]

Over the weekend I happen to be walking past the Roxey stand at EMGS Bracknell and I noticed a GWR 0-4-4 tank kit. It says it was built by Deen for working on Cornish branches mainly the St. Ives and Helston branches. It also says they were originally 0-4-2s.
I'm trying to track down some more info on them before I pop my hand in my pocket.
Marc

 

[SimonT]

Nos 34 & 35. Russell Vol1, p148/9 is your friend.

 

[AJC]

A reasonable kit, I'm told - I've certainly seen more than two built up over the years which isn't always the case. Obviously the challenges of 0-4-4s are pronounced on this one - no side tanks!

Adam

 

[Hayfield1]

I was lucky enough to buy one of these kits second hand, complete with Gibson wheels, Mashima motor, Markits gearbox, 2 different sprung buffer sets, sprung horn-blocks and brass smoke box darts. Only slight downside the chassis has been started (badly) but as its a brass chassis easy to rectify.

The kit itself looks to be of an excellent quality in the etched brass construction style. The etchings are of excellent quality The boiler is turned brass, fire box and smoke box are pre rolled. Some fittings are of hard brass others are high quality softer metal. I have no idea how many of the extra fittings I have are included in the kit.

The kit was originally an Albion Models kit, and certainly would stand out on a mall layout

I see David is selling the kits for £120 and the additional parts another £67. No doubt the builder could choose other options for the motor and gear boxes, is it worth/feasible compensating the 0-4-4 ? Sprung buffers are a nice option as is a brass smokebox dart.

Will I live long enough to build it ? That's another story, but it is a super kit

 

[simond]

is it worth/feasible compensating the 0-4-4 ?

yes.

I would fit twin rocking beams to the driving axles, and a single fixed point pivot on the bogie, which itself could be compensated.

I would be wary of springing (unless you spring both driving axles and the bogie) as the bogie end tends to be heavier than the driving wheel end and it may nod.

The worst of all worlds is the Springside 48xx which has a massive heavy cab and bunker supported by a spring acting on the trailing radial axle. The drivers are rigid in the frames. It is beyond terrible. Fixed as above.

best
Simon

 

[Overseer]

Over the weekend I happen to be walking past the Roxey stand at EMGS Bracknell and I noticed a GWR 0-4-4 tank kit. It says it was built by Deen for working on Cornish branches mainly the St. Ives and Helston branches. It also says they were originally 0-4-2s.
I'm trying to track down some more info on them before I pop my hand in my pocket.
Marc

Nick Dunhill built the 7mm version last year, this should be a link - Nick Dunhill's Workshop. Victorian Models GWR no 34 - well worth a read before you build one.