GW 850 Pannier tank

Phil O

Western Thunderer
I came across this supplier of 3d printed 4mm GW locos on evil bay. I decided to splash the cash on a half cab 850 pannier tank to see what they were like and I'm absolutely gob smacked at the level of detail. I could never attain this level, kit building. I just hope that I can paint it! Getting a brush into the cab is going to be a nightmare.

Pardon our interruption...

No idea why it's turned the link into "Pardon the interruption".

Just a few photos as a taster.

850 PT 9.jpg


850 PT 7.jpg


850 PT 8.jpg


850 PT 13.jpg

850 PT 15.jpg

I've just noted that some of the supports for the injectors is still there, not noticed until looking at the photos. Sorry that the view into the cab is out of focus.

It's going to need as much weight as can be crammed in as it's as light as a feather. I will need to add to the frames to make it suitable for EM, in addition to the handrails, smokebox dart and the whistles. Hopefully a Highlevel gearbox will fit between the frames.
 

Dai88D

Western Thunderer
And they’re very good too. I’ve also bought a Duke but not done anything with it yet, looks good though.
 

76043

Western Thunderer
I've been watching this on eBay too, I had wondered about the quality. I reckon in 5-10 years etched kits will be a thing of the past in 4mm.
Tony
 

Marc Dobson

Western Thunderer
I might put my head on the block and widen that out to other scales. I have just produced some of my 4mm/7mm kits in G1(1:32) and there is no etched parts what so ever.
 

simond

Western Thunderer
Years ago (and maybe even today) much loved diecast models self destructed due to ”zinc pest”.

I’m very confident that the brass locos I’ve built over the last 25 years will still be useable in 25 years‘ time. They may be worn out and clanky, and might need new motors or gears, but the brass will endure.

I’m somewhat less confident about my 3DP models, though I’m sure as the tech, and the chemistry evolves, longevity will become more certain. Of course, the cad will still exist to reprint the models using new techniques, but the assembly effort, the paint and the weathering will be lost.
 

Phil O

Western Thunderer
So long as the 3d stuff outlasts me I'm not going to worry about it, the motor, gearbox and wheels will still be there, well the tyres will be even if the plastic centres disintegrate.
 

76043

Western Thunderer
I still have some PU resin casts of prototype toys I worked on in the 90s, still okay, just a bit more yellow than when new and likely more brittle. Obviously a different material, but as @simond says that will only improve as time goes on.
Tony
 

Marc Dobson

Western Thunderer
I noticed that he is now doing a saddle tank version of the 850. So will be ordering one on my return from Bracknell this coming weekend
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
How about a link to the 3D GWR loco supplier? I wonder if the 850 will fit on a r-t-r chassis (64xx for example).
 

AJC

Western Thunderer
The quality is stunning. None are prototypes I actually want to model, not even the Sandersfoot Railway Kerr, Stuart (ok, maybe that one, but I have no reason to, and obviously the real thing was 4’ gauge so potentially problematic in EM…

Adam
 

Phil O

Western Thunderer
The quality is stunning. None are prototypes I actually want to model, not even the Sandersfoot Railway Kerr, Stuart (ok, maybe that one, but I have no reason to, and obviously the real thing was 4’ gauge so potentially problematic in EM…

Adam

Adam,

I think 00 will be close enough for 4 ft, even in P4. Just depends on how wide you want your flangeways and switch clearances.
 

John_B

Western Thunderer
I posted a link to the broad gauge 1076 class on the Broad Gauge Society e-mail group, and the 4mm Trade Officer bought it. He was quite impressed, so one is now in the post to me.
 

AJC

Western Thunderer
Adam,

I think 00 will be close enough for 4 ft, even in P4. Just depends on how wide you want your flangeways and switch clearances.

The loco in question has outside cylinders, I model in EM, with no desire for another project, fun though that particular railway was! I imagine it’s more or less dead on scale so our old friend clearance is in the game - but no reason not to do it properly in P4 to 16mm gauge, lightweight p-way, small wheels out in the open, P4 really would be the way to go here.

Adam
 
Top