Finney7
Between 1884 and 1903 the GWR built 301 tenders with a water capacity of 2500 gallons, all to basically the same design. They had a coal capacity of 4½ tons, a wheelbase of 13 feet, and weighed 34t. 5c. full and 16t. 2c. empty. They were built under 18 different lots.
These tenders were used with many classes including 2-4-0's, 2301 class, Krugers, Aberdares, 3521 class, Dukes and Bulldogs. The first withdrawals took place in 1927 and the only survivor is No. 1273 which is preserved with Dean Goods No. 2516 at Swindon Museum.
There were many modifications made to the basic design during the 19 years over which the tenders were in production and many more changes as they were rebuilt.
The earliest tenders had coal rails and no water scoop (Vol. 1 - page 152 - fig.440). The water filler was a cylindrical casing and the sandboxes were mounted on the footplate in front of the tank. They also had identical toolboxes on each side and some were fitted with an overflow pipe and fountain for use with engines equipped with cross-head driven feed pumps.
A later tender is shown in Vol 1. page 162 - fig.469 fitted with a water scoop and a combined water filler/scoop fountain. The front of the scoop was subsequently fitted with a plate presumably to prevent 'foreign bodies' entering. These early tenders have a 'drop' in the flare on the tank sides at the front, front steps with a curve on the leading edge and hornguide ties of the rod type.
From Lot A38 the flare on the tank sides was carried through to the front (Vol 1. - page 159 - fig.460) the coal rails extended forward and the footplate widened at the front. These tenders were built for the new 4-4-0s and consequently had a raised footplate at the front. Shortly afterwards steps with a straight leading edge and strip type hornguide ties were introduced.
Subsequently all were rebuilt with coal plates, a different pattern toolbox on the left hand side and fire iron trays were fitted with water level gauges (Vol.1 - page 160 - fig. 463). Most appear to have had the sandboxes removed and replaced with a single sandbox on the left-hand side at the front of the coal space. Some were also fitted with separate pickup domes and water filler (Vol 2. - page 130 - fig. 130). Because of the relatively small coal space this involved cutting an opening in the rear coal plate for the dome to fit through.
All of these variations are accommodated in the kit and before starting construction identify, as far as possible, from photographs, all the features your model will have. There are three different detail configurations described but you might have to interpret between the configurations to be able to model your particular tender.
Wheels. 4' 1½" diameter, 12 spoke, axle with 2 mm diameter extensions (3) Slater’s Ref 7849MF
To obtain a pdf copy of the instructions please click on the links below; the pdf will open in a new window. Unfortunately the A4 and A3 pages have to be in different files.