Finney7
Just before Grouping, Nigel Gresley introduced his prototype 4-6-2 design on the GNR. The engines had a new design of eight wheels tender which are the subject of this kit. Similar tenders were built by the LNER and North British Locomotive Company for the production A1 class engines until, by June 1925, a total of 52 tenders had been built in five batches.
For a more detailed history of these tenders Part 2A of Locomotives of the LNER published by the RCTS is essential reading. Other valuable sources of information and photographs are:
Locomotives Illustrated 25 - Ian Allan
The Gresley Pacifics - OS Nock - David & Charles
Yeadon's Register of LNER Locomotives - Volume One - Irwell Press - There is a photograph of the modified BR front end.
East Coast Pacifics at work - PN Townend - Ian Allan
The Power of the A1's, A2's and A3's - JS Whiteley & G.W.Morrison - Oxford Publishing Co.
Isinglass Drawings Drg. No.327 and Drg. No.334
Plate behind coal rails. The plates on T.O.'s 44 & 45 were extended to the rear by 2' 8".
Frame steps. The steps on the NB Loco built tenders were 8' 4" across whereas the Doncaster built ones were 8' 8" across.
Fire iron storage. The original tenders were built with two brackets to enable the fire irons to be stored on the ledge across the tender in front of the sloping coal plate. From 1924 the front coal plate was cut away to enable the fire irons to be stored along the side of the tender above the coal space. We are not sure whether the brackets were then retained.
Modified front end. At the same time as the original A1 class engines were converted to left hand drive (circa 1952-1954) the tenders were rebuilt at the front end to suit. This involved a new design of front plate and coal gate with the coal plate vertical. The water scoop and brake columns changed sides.
Rear steps and handrail. These were fitted from circa 9/1953.
Wheels. 4’ 2” diameter, disc. The closest available is 4’ 3” disc with 5/32” plain axle, Slater’s Ref 7851GMF
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.