Fowler 3P 2-6-2T

[Sandy Harper]

Those of you with long memories may recall the start of my relationship with this model, probably more than a year ago now. It began with a sheet of nickle silver etches, which originated from the College Models stable, but I don't think ever morphed into a kit as such. They were also accompanied by a set of etches for the Stanier version, which I built first, and apart from a few niggles, I was able to complete.

The Fowler was a whole different kettle of fish! I can't remember exactly when I first started it but it had been languishing in a dark corner of the workshop half built for months. It a moment of pity I retrieved it from its incarceration and recalled that I had managed to build around half of the outside motion but the build had stalled when I found that crucial bits were missing and others didn't quite fit and I had moved on to other things!
Never one to give up (remember the Ace A3?), I started scratch building the parts of the valve gear that were wrong or missing and eventually made it all work. That in turn spured me on to complete the rest of the body work which again needed a lot of head scratching and research to get it somewhere near correct. I am still missing a dome and correct chimney which I hope to pick up at Kettering on Saturday along with a motor/gearbox to power it.
The very distinctive cylinder drain cocks fitted to these Fowler locos, and others from the same stable, are in the process of being built for me by my good friend John Percival. He's better at lathe work than I am!!


Sandy

 

[LarryG]

To my eyes, the running plate angle on the Fowler 2-6-2T always looked somewhat deeper than on the Staier version. But the big obvious difference lay on the section just behind the buffer plank.

Balance weights on the Fowler where crescent shaped.

Stanier chimney and the one later fitted to some Fowler engines looked to be one and the same casting.


The angled plate atop the cab steps looked like an after-thought on the Fowler. It was a separate piece of metal riveted or bolted to the running plate angle.


Of note are the replacement bevel-rim wheels on the Fowler tank rear pony.

 

[Sandy Harper]

To my eyes, the running plate angle on the Fowler 2-6-2T always looked somewhat deeper than on the Staier version. But the big obvious difference lay on the section just behind the buffer plank.

Balance weights on the Fowler where crescent shaped.

Stanier chimney and the one later fitted to some Fowler engines looked to be one and the same casting.
View attachment 118784 View attachment 118785

The angled plate atop the cab steps looked like an after-thought on the Fowler. It was a separate piece of metal riveted or bolted to the running plate angle.
View attachment 118791 View attachment 118792

Of note are the replacement bevel-rim wheels on the Fowler tank rear pony.

Needs a redraw I think!
Sandy

 

[Ian_C]

To my eyes, the running plate angle on the Fowler 2-6-2T always looked somewhat deeper than on the Staier version. But the big obvious difference lay on the section just behind the buffer plank.

Balance weights on the Fowler where crescent shaped.

Stanier chimney and the one later fitted to some Fowler engines looked to be one and the same casting.
View attachment 118784 View attachment 118785

The angled plate atop the cab steps looked like an after-thought on the Fowler. It was a separate piece of metal riveted or bolted to the running plate angle.
View attachment 118791 View attachment 118792

Of note are the replacement bevel-rim wheels on the Fowler tank rear pony.

Hat off to Larry G. Proper, professional grade engine picking there! But those details make a difference, don't they?

 

[LarryG]

I agree with Sandy, it needs a re-draw. It would seem the Fowler kit was derived from either a Stanier kit or a Stanier scale drawing. Examining the Fowler model further, the steps on the front fall plate are where one would expect to find them on a Stanier 2-6-2T. The frames and lifting holes are pure Stanier.

That said, the kit might make a decent basis for alteration to produce a Fowler 2-6-2T. It's down to the old adage of plenty of photos. Member Dave Holt built a stunner in P4 some years ago.

 

[Sandy Harper]

I agree with Sandy, it needs a re-draw. It would seem the Fowler kit was derived from either a Stanier kit or a Stanier scale drawing. Examining the Fowler model further, the steps on the front fall plate are where one would expect to find them on a Stanier 2-6-2T. The frames and lifting holes are pure Stanier.

That said, the kit might make a decent basis for alteration to produce a Fowler 2-6-2T. It's down to the old adage of plenty of photos. Member Dave Holt built a stunner in P4 some years ago.

Now you mention it the two drawings were on the same photo tool and for the sake of expediency it would not surprise me that common (sort of) or similar parts were used. The smokebox cover was peppered in etched holes that needed filling that didn't exist on the Fowler or were in the wrong place. In retrospect I would have been better to make a new one!!!

Sandy

 

[P A D]

Hi Sandy,
I think the designer has used a mix of features from both prototypes on both models. I recall that the turn in on the front running plate on the Stanier 3P was a double bend as on the Fowler. There were other areas as well where I think guess work was involved (by Mr.Williams not you) most notably the cab rear, but unfortunately that's par for the course with this designer. As always you have done a sterling job with less than perfect raw materials.
Cheers,
Peter

 

[LarryG]

Dave Holts 4mm/P4 loco. The ex. 2F Boiler mounted low in its surroundings characterizes these engines. One thing to watch for is the shape of the frames above the footplate and the position of the lifting holes. It appears the earlier locos had a longer slope and the holes were further forward under the slope (up to at least 40024). These details changed partway through the building of the 1931 batch.

 

[Sandy Harper]

Nice model Larry and thanks for the additional info.
Sandy