Finney7
Between 1905 and 1926 the GWR built 649 tenders with a water capacity of 3500 gallons, all to basically the same design. They had a coal capacity of 7 tons, a wheelbase of 15 feet, and weighed 40T 0C full and 18T 5C empty, and were built under 45 lots.
Except for Lot A112, these were Standard Churchward tenders and were attached to all Churchward's standard tender engines and to some engines of all the inside cylinder 4-4-0 classes. Later Collett used them for his Castles, Halls, Granges and Manors and much later the 2251 class.
The kit is based on Swindon drawings 72342 (8/24) and 27459 (5/10). Great Western Engines (Vol. 2) by J.H.Russell contains many useful photographs.
There were many modifications made to the basic design during the 21 years over which the tenders were in production and many more subsequent changes as they were rebuilt.
The early Lots were similar to the contemporary 3000 gallon tenders. They had a short, large diameter transverse vacuum tank, short coal plates, small toolboxes, short vents, the combined water filler/scoop fountain and a tall water level gauge.
From about Lot A78 the hybrid water filler/scoop dome was introduced. From about Lot A82 tenders were built with a short, large diameter longitudinal vacuum tank, longer coal plates, larger toolboxes, larger vents, the hybrid water filler/scoop dome and a shorter water level gauge. Later the separate dome/filler was introduced .
Subsequent modifications included: Swapping the vacuum and steam heating pipes to opposite sides on the rear buffer beam with a characteristic cross-over of the pipes under the footplate at the rear. This may have been done at the same time as long, small diameter transverse vacuum tanks were fitted from the middle 1920's.
Rebuilding early tenders with long coal plates etc. All of these variations/modifications are allowed for in the kit. Before starting construction we urge you to identify, as far as possible, from photographs, all the features your model will have.
From around Lot A97 the tank rivets changed from flush to snap head. (unless you emboss over 500 rivets!)Lot A112 - Intermediate tenders. Variations in spring and spring hanger arrangements. Tenders fitted with new frames to Collett's design.
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.