GWR smoke box handrails.

[Bigjohn]

Moat folk will know that this feature involved a double bend between smoke box door/ boiler. I have just been looking at a photo of a
late period BR period of a 14XX where the bend is a single 90 bend. Presumably a replacement/repair. I was totally unaware of this change. Possibly a one off on 1420?? Could there be others……

John

 

[Nigel Smith]

The style of the 14xx handrail is quite different to most GWR locomotives. The one you describe is correct for this class.

 

[Nigel Smith]

Here’s the Dapol model with the correct hand rail

 

[Tim V]

Unwise to rely on models, here is the real thing in Tiverton Museum.

 

[simond]

I’d say it looks just like the model

 

[Dog Star]

And the photo of the real thing reveals the taper pin that retains the handrail in the handrail knob.

 

[PeterM]

The style of the 14xx handrail is quite different to most GWR locomotives. The one you describe is correct for this class.

What's the difference between this photo and any other GWR loco handrail?

 

[Nigel Smith]

14xx had a single curve in their handrail over the smoke box. The more usual type had two as in the photo attached

 

[Bigjohn]

Nigel…

Thank you for that information. Having made 6 1400s over 80 years they were all incorrect in that detail. Plus I was a trainspotter from GWR days to the end of steam

Big J

 

[gateman 49]

I think that this single curve and the outer right angle bends were unique to this class. I don't know why and my only guess is that it's to do with the small rim area around the smokebox door. Here is a Box Brownie photo that, as an eighteen year old, I took of 1420 at Buckfastleigh on 10th August 1967: